Body Hair (Symbol)
One afternoon, Karim watches Haroon intently as he practices yoga. He focuses on Haroon's physique, paying particular attention to his father's body hair. Karim codes the hair as a sign of Haroon's masculinity, and he feels proud of his father in this moment. After looking at his father's body, Karim then looks at himself. He is pleased with the fact that, despite his young age, he also boasts a chest full of hair. This observation prompts Karim to feel more masculine and mature, and also more similar to his father—this can be read as a physical representation of their maturing relationship.
Record Player (Symbol)
Ted has come to seek Haroon's counsel regarding his life choices. He is unhappy with his job, yet he feels pressured to maintain it in order to please Jean and maintain the lifestyle they share. The conversation gets heated when Haroon asks Ted a series of follow-up questions that force him to contemplate what truly makes him happy. As Ted collapses on the floor in tears, Haroon quickly changes the subject to the record player in the room. The record player recalls the sudden, brusque sound of a record scratch. Much like the sonic effect of a scratching record, Ted is abruptly reevaluating his life and changing gears—he's finally calling attention to matters he has long put on hold.
Clothing (Motif)
Clothing is mentioned repeatedly throughout the novel as a representation of self-image. At the beginning, Karim struggles with his fashion choices, and he hopes to appear "bohemian" by wearing flared jeans and unbuttoned shirts. Charlie, who represents a kind of idyllic aspiration for Karim (in his fashion sense and in his general coolness) offers Karim advice about how to look more effortlessly chic. Additionally, when Karim is first introduced to Eva, he notices that she is wearing a kaftan and has her hair done "wildly." This changes when she moves to London, and she begins to dress in a more subdued manner.
Eva's Redecorating Business (Symbol)
When Eva moves to London, she begins a redecorating and interior design business. In a way, this symbolizes how she is constantly reinventing herself and the lives of those around her. Eva enjoys rebuilding both literally and figuratively—as she engages in new experiences, Eva likes to shed past layers.
Music (Motif)
Music is a recurring motif throughout the novel, and it helps to paint the picture of 1970s Britain. It's important to remember that the 1960s were an extremely influential decade for British music worldwide. Often dubbed the "British Invasion," the 1960s catapulted bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks to extreme fame. The concept of rock stardom was a far-reaching ideal shared by many adolescents during the 1970s, and Charlie, Karim's quasi-stepbrother/lover, has already embarked on a path of musical success.
The 1970s saw the emergence of punk music, a genre rooted in its political and anti-establishment lyrics. In this way, The Buddha of Suburbia presents music as an outlet for the youth to vocalize their frustrations with the government. Concerts and shows are a gathering space for subcultures, and they're an opportunity to develop political action and organization.
