Throughout the novel, characters’ desires for power or influence over others mirrors the desire for political power that fuels religious intolerance. Religious intolerance erupts into violence, pitting different religious and ethnic groups against each other. Lenny witnesses many acts of killing, maiming, and death, including finding Masseur, Ayah’s beloved, dead in a sack on the sidewalk.

As Lahore becomes a refugee center and an entrance to the new country of Pakistan, now a majority-Muslim country, the Hindus and Sikhs are driven out of the city.

Religious intolerance also becomes a way for men to subjugate women. For example, Ayah is taken prisoner by the Ice-candy-man, whom she has rejected for Masseur, and he pimps her out to other men as a “dancing girl.” Women become victims of extreme sexual violence, including rape and sex slavery, under the guise of religious intolerance.

Just as the Ice-candy-man stalks Ayah until he possesses her, body and soul, Lenny experiences a powerful sexual desire for and obsession with her Cousin. Through this experience, Lenny grows up to understand lust and desire as powerful motivators.