1. The Landlord: The Landlord is a symbolic representation of the British colonial power in India during the colonial period. He embodies the oppressive and condescending attitude of the colonizers towards the native population, exploiting them for their wealth and resources.
2. The Tenant: The Tenant symbolizes the oppressed natives of India who are subjected to the unfair policies and treatment by the colonial rulers. They are portrayed as helpless and marginalized individuals, struggling to maintain their dignity and rights in the face of colonial authority.
3. The Rent: The Rent represents the heavy taxes and economic exploitation that the British imposed on the Indian people. The demand for excessive rents symbolizes the burden of colonial oppression and the drain of resources from the country.
4. The Crop: The Crop symbolizes the potential wealth and prosperity of India, which the British seek to extract and monopolize. It highlights the exploitation of natural resources and the disruption of traditional agrarian systems under colonial rule.
5. The Storm: The Storm represents the inevitable consequences of colonial oppression and exploitation. It stands as a metaphor for the impending revolt or resistance against the British colonial power, suggesting the potential for revolution or rebellion.
6. The Flood: The Flood symbolizes the destructive impact of colonial policies on the lives and livelihoods of the native population. It conveys the idea of social, economic, and political devastation caused by colonialism, leaving the affected individuals destitute and desperate.
7. The Dead Bodies: The Dead Bodies symbolize the countless lives lost due to colonial oppression, exploitation, and negligence. They serve as a reminder of the human cost of colonialism and the brutal consequences of power imbalance.
8. The Sun: The Sun, appearing towards the end of the poem, symbolizes a glimmer of hope and the possibility of change. It suggests the potential for a new dawn, where oppressive colonial rule may be replaced by a more just and equitable society.
Overall, the symbols in the ballad "The Landlord" add depth and complexity to the narrative, capturing the nuances of colonial oppression and its devastating effects on the native population.