Symbolism in Tamas by Bhisham Sahni

Tamas , written by Bhisham Sahni, uses various symbols to deepen the reader’s understanding of the themes and messages in the novel. Symbolism in this book is crucial for highlighting the effects of communal violence, identity crisis, and political manipulation during the Partition of India. Symbolic Elements in the Novel 1. The Pig The pig in Tamas is a powerful symbol with multiple layers of meaning: Religious Tensions: The pig's slaughter and its placement at the mosque’s steps symbolize the deliberate provocation of religious tensions. It represents how religious symbols can be manipulated to incite violence between communities. Political Manipulation: The incident with the pig is orchestrated by local politicians to stir up conflict. It shows how political figures exploit religious sentiments to further their agendas. Loss of Innocence: The pig, an innocent creature, represents the innocent people who become victims of political machinations and communal violence. 2. The Lamp at the …