Thirst

Marigold garlands are a motif that appears throughout the book in Minni’s times of crisis. These garlands are used throughout India as decorations for Hindu temples and special occasions such as weddings and religious festivals. Marigolds carry significance in Hinduism as symbols of auspiciousness and happiness. When Minni happens upon them in her most difficult moments, they are signs that events will soon turn more positive. For example, Minni walks by a statue of Ganesh (the Hindu god of good luck) adorned with marigolds the day after Sanjay’s encounter with the mafia boss: “[T]he elephant’s head is draped in marigold garlands. Bells hang above it, and I clang them twice for good measure” (31). By interacting with the shrine, Minni wishes for good luck for herself and her family, despite the dire circumstances. This religious action helps her feel better. Conversely, when she is overworked and tired later in the book, she sees that the marigolds at the shrine are “withered,” reflecting her dwindling hopes for the future.

Throughout Thirst, Minni and her mother make roti, an Indian flatbread similar to a tortilla. Roti is a comfort food for Minni as a motif associated with tradition and her mother’s love, and it is also a manifestation of the manual labor demanded of her at Pinky’s house. As such, Minni invests roti with mixed emotions over the course of the book. The immense pressure placed on Minni’s roti-making abilities at Pinky’s house is evident in her nervous tone: “I feel my heart thumping. I cannot make a liar of my ma. I have to do better, or I’ll lose this job on the first day” (73). Even in these dark moments, however, the roti maintains an intimate association with Rohini, reminding readers that bread is a product of familial love and care. Ultimately, this association prevails over the negative ones when Rohini stops working for Pinky’s family and decides to start her own business making roti for the community.