Family
Bim's breakdown at the end of the book results in remarkable clarity of thought. In this insight, she concludes that the bond of family is greater than any other thing in this world, that she felt their pains, and that she couldn't live without them.[21]
Forgiveness
Bim's inability to forgive Raja demonstrates that the deepest hurts come from the closest bonds.[22] However she does find it in herself at the end of the book to forgive Raja for the insult and realize the importance of family.[23]
Adolescence
A major a part of the book is devoted to the first years of the Das siblings and to how that period shaped their current lives. While Bim and Raja, being the eldest siblings, were sure of themselves, Tara and Baba were left behind, although loved, dependent—albeit in several ways— on others. the youngsters were rarely cared for in their household, then they constantly searched for affection from one another. Their experiences in adolescence were liable for their future selves, including their oft-tense relations with one another. Raja, who was selfish and proud, becomes an upscale , pompous man who remains trying to be the hero he idolized, Hyder Ali. Tara is consistently hooked in to her husband et al. to form decisions for her. Bim witnesses the degradation of her widowed aunt in her house and therefore the limitations of marriage, and she or he decides to measure a lifetime of independence.
Escapism
The Das siblings are constantly trying to flee their immediate surroundings. This need is fuelled by the shortage of attention they get from their parents. Raja starts inclining towards Islamic culture against his family’s wishes, Tara first seeks attention from Mira Masi and starts to spend longer with the Misra sisters, ultimately marrying Bakul and leaving Delhi . Baba also tries to flee his immediate surroundings, albeit during a more unconscious manner, by constantly playing an equivalent music on a loop. These three characters are propelled by the necessity to repress unpleasant memories of their childhood. Bim appears to be the sole one that doesn't want to flee her family. However, because the story progresses, one sees through chinks in Bim's armour. She is consistently hurt by her siblings and wishes to escape—this time, ironically, into the past.
