The novel is rich with allegorical instruments that define the struggle of its characters:
Instead of scrolling social media while standing in line or waiting for an appointment, the portable edition invites you to read one meditation. Five minutes of waiting becomes five minutes with God.
Joseph explores the multi-layered marginalization of women within already marginalized communities. Symbols like the "snow pea plant" and the grandmother's "Aalaha's prayer" (a mysterious chant to ward off evil) represent the community’s deep-rooted spiritual and environmental connections.
: A central theme is the displacement of the poor in the name of "development". As the city expands, the rich push marginalized communities out of their habitual residences.