Racial Oppression and Exile

The book opens with Matthew Towns, a brilliant Black medical student, being denied registration in obstetrics because white patients refuse a 'nigger doctor,' forcing him into a self-imposed exile from America and a journey through menial labor and political corruption.

Matthew's expulsion from medical school exemplifies systemic racism, forcing him into self-imposed exile in Europe.

Matthew experiences racial prejudice even among the darker peoples at the dinner, highlighting the pervasive nature of oppression. His exile from America and the shadow of the color line are central to his identity.

The hostility Matthew and Kautilya face from the community, including stoning by children, underscores the racial oppression of the era. Kautilya's decision to leave is partly driven by the impossibility of their life together in a racist society.