Rachel - Ghosh, 4/25

Locket...not the most original symbol in a book.  I was surprised Ghosh used it, actually.  But I think that's part of what makes Sea of Poppies an epic; it uses tropes that we are familiar with, and presents them in an interesting way.  Was this the most commercially successful book we've read?  I forget...but probably, based on the content we've been through so far.

The locket is Paulette's last connection to her biological parents.  Even though the engraving on the enamel shows a portrait of her mother, the story associated with the necklace (told to her by Nob Kissin Pander) is about her father.  Obviously, because of his compassion for the poor, he's a positive character.  This holds especially true within the political context of Sea of Poppies, which is decidedly liberal.

But I think the locket, to Paulette, represents the hopes her biological father had for her success.  It is a reminder to be wary of her decisions in life, because once upon a time, a caring father tried to pawn this precious jewelry so that she would be able to go back to Europe.  So in this way, it's a symbol of paternal love.  It's a connection to the past.  It's also a reminder that human beings are not entirely self-interested, and that they can have genuine compassion for an individual other than themselves.