Throughout the novel one symbol that stood out was the books. The books throughout the novel represented independence, intelligent, and fear. These books helped the novel show how Lakshmi was different from all the other girls. Lakshmi used these books to learn and keep herself, self-motivated. I believe the author choice this symbol because books are the key to the future and for a girl who is being sold and rape a good future is all she is look for. A chance at a future, and a chance to relive the past is what makes this symbol so effective. These books are also are ways for Lakshmi to relive her past and learn. In the poem stealing from the David Beckham boy the author wrote: “I take his brightly colored storybook and make it mine “(McCormick 154). Here Lakshmi steals David’s book while he is out and the girls are watching TV. Lakshmi is different from the other girls Lakshmi would rather learn and remember her past life than watch TV and accept her new life. The author uses this symbol of the book to show that Lakshmi steals from a friend to have a future. Lakshmi only does this to learn because she misses being a student. The book helps Lakshmi relive the past, and help her hold on to her sanity. This book helps remember the life she uses to live. …show more content…
In the poem sold Mumtaz said “you belong to me, she says. And I paid a pretty sum for you, too. She opens her book and points to the notation for 10,000 rupees” (McCormick 106).Here Lakshmi tells Mumtaz that she’s leaving but Mumtaz pulls out her book and shows Lakshmi her debt. The author uses the symbol of the book to show fear. This representation of the book is what keeps Lakshmi at happiness house. This book is the chain that bounds Lakshmi to the happiness house, for the number inside the book is too big for her to be unshackled. As Lakshmi try’s to pay off her debt her debt rises as she lives in the happiness house and so do her fears of the