Jewelry
Madhavi parents are asked for a big dowry for their daughter which included expensive jewelry. The family did everything they could to get those pieces of jewelry but were unable to get enough. This forced them to ask their neighbors to borrow them jewelry in order to give the impression of wealth. The jewelry is also used here as a metaphor and it represents the financial burden many families had to deal with just so they could marry their daughters.
Marriage
Marriage is mentioned in almost every story and has vital importance for the main female characters. The young women and their parents are obsessed with the idea of marriage and would do anything just to make sure a suitable partner is found. Marriage is also used here as a metaphor, representing financial security and comfort.
The bungalow
The wealthy man who sends for Paru's daughter is a wealthy man who lives in a bungalow and who has no care in the world. This man is confident that he can get away with having sexual intercourse with a child and is confident that no one will hold him responsible for his actions. The bungalow thus is used here as a metaphor, representing the power and influence the man in the story had.
The broom
Paru runs away to a temple where she finds refuge and where she is able to keep her child. While at the temple, Paru works as a sweeper, and when her daughter grows up a bit, she starts sweeping the floors as well. The profession which Paru and her daughter have is used here as a metaphor, representing the harsh life and the lack of opportunities women had to deal with.
The knife
Paru uses a knife to kill her child and then with the same knife she also takes her own life. By doing this, she makes sure that her daughter will not be forced into prostitution and also provides a way out from a painful life. The knife thus becomes an important element in this context and is also used as a metaphor. As such, the knife is used as a metaphor that represents the violence that women have to endure in a male-dominated world.
