Language
In the poem entitled "Which Language Should I Speak?’’ the narrator talks about the problems he had with the language he used and how he was criticized both by his teachers and by his family for the way in which he used to talk. In this context, the language is used here as a symbol for one’s identity and connection to his community.
Slurs
In the poem entitled "Which Language Should I Speak?’’ one of the common motifs is the idea that the main character is insulted both by the members of his family and by people outside of his family. His grandfather for example calls him "whore-son’’ while his teacher calls him an "idiot."
Symbol for tradition
Also in the poem "Which Language Should I Speak?’’ the narrator’s grandfather is used here as a symbol. The narrator notes how the grandfather was the one on whose shoulders the "household of tradition’’ could be found. This implies that the grandfather is used here as a symbol for the part of society that still believed in maintaining the old traditions.
Symbol for wealth
A symbol found in the poem "The Life we Live’’ is the sandalwood the rich people used after they die. The narrator mentions how the rich would get burn on sandalwood, an expensive type of wood. The sandalwood is used here as a symbol for their wealth and to transmit the idea that the rich and expensive materials.
The rich do not care for the poor
One of the main motifs in the poems written by Arun Kamble is how the rich do not have any type of respect or affection for the poor. Kamble notes how the rich would not care how the poor would die near them and how they would continue to live their lives as they did until then.
