Anorexia as a symbol
Anorexia is a symbol in the novel, because Rani's struggle with anorexia takes her on an allegorical adventure of her own self. She realizes that there is a mysterious sense in which her imbalance in her physical health stems from misunderstandings in her mental self. Her mind is unhealthy, and her body is suffering the symptoms of it, and she explores this in the novel. This is exactly the conclusion she reaches, wondering what hope there might be for her mind. Broadly speaking, perhaps the anorexia (in this story specifically) represents a neglect of self-love.
Reshma's volition
Reshma's story doesn't have the comfort or luxury of Ruth or Rani's lives, even though they aren't exactly the most free characters one could possibly conceive. Even still, Reshma's life is nearly claustrophobic. Her volition is symbolic because it is extraordinarily restricted. Through her story, we see the way women's stories are pigeon-holed by the society of Pakistan, because her choices are not whether to marry, but who to marry, and she has to choose this not after her puberty, but at thirteen.
Ruth's love
Ruth's decision to stay represents her care for Rani which perplexes her, because she has no reason to really do so. She wonders if she is accepting a role for her own pride, for her to feel better about herself, or whether she is genuinely connecting with this woman from another walk of life. The symbolic question guides the reader to the dilemma of empathy. It turns out, empathy is a much more intimate, complex, infinite experience than the women knew up front.
The allegory of class motion
Rani's story can be seen as an allegory of class mobility. She starts in extreme poverty where her mind and behavioral psychology are programmed. Through time, she attains a better fate for herself (Reshma's story shows the role of marriage in social dynamics). Then, in the better life, her struggles continue. Money was not the solution; it was merely step one of the solution. Now she needs to find a sense of inner peace. She realizes there is an emotional currency of hope that she still lacks.
The gardener's daughter
The relationship between Ruth and Rani is obvious and friendly, but what of Reshma? Reshma's story is not the story of being saved from poverty and from hopelessness. Whereas Rani gets the help that she longs for, Reshma is left to her own devices. How does she fare? She fares well. She works hard and solves problems, and she makes a way. She is symbolic in her role at Rani's estate: she is the "gardener's daughter," an indication that she is a hard worker who will build something from nothing, as her parents grow beauty from the dirt.
