Fighting Roosters (Symbol)
The rooster fight towards the novel's conclusion is a symbol of greed. Praneshacharya is unnerved to see people gambling and cheering, as two roosters fight to the death with razor blades. He dislikes the gleefulness of the people around him, including Putta, as it shows their enjoyment in this display of grotesque violence. The fight functions as a symbol of greed in that it shows what people are happy to do in order to make some money.
Epidemic (Allegory)
After Naranappa's death, others start to die from fever in the village. People become panicked, as bodies begin to pile up, seemingly without explanation. This crisis does not bring people together, but only results in greater disorder and resentment, as people fear for their lives. This epidemic allegorizes the spiritual crisis facing the village. Almost no one shows an interest in actually upholding traditional religious values, despite using them as a justification for class status. In this way, the decline of their beliefs is reflected in the ruin of their village.
Naranappa's Corpse (Symbol)
Naranappa's corpse slowly rots in the temple, creating a foul stench that permeates the village. As Praneshacharya continues to deliberate on the matter of his funeral rites, the smell gets worse and worse, as the body continues to deteriorate. People fight over Naranappa's material wealth while also showing no interest in performing the rites. Eventually his body is cremated by a Muslim fishmonger, who Chandri pays. The decay of Naranappa's body symbolizes the discord in the village, as they fail to reach a decision about the rites and show no concern for tradition or community.
Chandri's Jewlery (Symbol)
Chandri's jewelry is a symbol of charity. Chandri is one of the most generous characters in the novel. Despite being relatively poor, she offers her gold jewelry as tribute for Naranappa's funeral rites. She feels compelled to do as she worries no one will do them otherwise. Eventually, Praneshacharya tells her to keep her jewelry, as she has to take care of herself. Her jewelry symbolizes charity in that she is giving up one of her only valuables in order to make sure the right thing is done for Naranappa. She displays a lack of self-interest that makes her almost entirely unique in the novel's cast of characters.
Hypocrisy (Motif)
Hypocrisy is a recurring motif throughout the novel. Despite their vaunted class status, the Brahmins repeatedly show their lack of concern with Brahmin values. Garuda and Lakshaman vie for Naranappa's wealth, each pushing forward their familial claim on it. They display no qualms about this, despite the disdain Brahmins traditionally hold for greed and the desire for material things. Similarly, Dasacharya breaks an important rule and eats during the period in which Naranappa's body remains in the temple. These flagrant displays of sacrilegious behavior show how hypocritical the Brahmins in the novel are, as they like their religion for the status it gives them, but do not obey its various tenets and rituals.
