The Hungry Tide

The Hungry Tide

by

Amitav Ghosh

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Cyclone Shelter Symbol Analysis

Cyclone Shelter Symbol Icon

The cyclone shelter symbolizes what Nirmal may have been able to accomplish had he been more willing to compromise on his belief in the importance of pure, unadulterated communist theory. Nilima explains that the Babadon Trust never would've built the cyclone shelter in the hospital had Nirmal not insisted they do so. Notably, Nirmal only insisted because he was so interested in the science and the theory behind cyclones and other storms. Thus, the cyclone shelter becomes both the most lasting thing that Nirmal leaves behind and a reminder of all that he was unable to leave behind.

Cyclone Shelter Quotes in The Hungry Tide

The The Hungry Tide quotes below all refer to the symbol of Cyclone Shelter. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Language Theme Icon
).
Part 2: Habits Quotes

"Nirmal, you have no idea of what it takes to do anything practical," she said. "You live in a dream world—a haze of poetry and fuzzy ideas about revolution. To build something is not the same as dreaming it. Building is always a matter of well-chosen compromises."

Related Characters: Nilima Bose (speaker), Nirmal Bose, Kusum
Related Symbols: Cyclone Shelter
Page Number: 178
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: The Wave Quotes

"Yes," said Nilima. "Making us build it was probably the most important thing he did in his whole life. You can see the proof of that today. But if you'd told him that, he'd have laughed. He'd have said, 'It's just social service—not revolution.'"

Related Characters: Nilima Bose (speaker), Kanai Dutt, Nirmal Bose
Related Symbols: Cyclone Shelter
Page Number: 320
Explanation and Analysis:
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Cyclone Shelter Symbol Timeline in The Hungry Tide

The timeline below shows where the symbol Cyclone Shelter appears in The Hungry Tide. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: Moyna
Man vs. Nature Theme Icon
Idealism and Theory vs. Practicality and Action Theme Icon
...could more easily reach Canning or Kolkata come to Lusibari instead. She points out the cyclone shelter , Nirmal's one contribution to the hospital. (full context)
Part 2: Going Ashore
Man vs. Nature Theme Icon
Idealism and Theory vs. Practicality and Action Theme Icon
...and slowly walks towards the island's compound. There, he sees people heading for the hospital's cyclone shelter . He notices Tutul and asks about Moyna, who suddenly appears. He tells her that... (full context)
Part 2: The Wave
Idealism and Theory vs. Practicality and Action Theme Icon
...the hospital looking at the floodwaters, and Nilima admits that they never would've built the cyclone shelter if Nirmal hadn't insisted. She says it's the most important thing he ever did, though... (full context)