The primary plotline of Gun Island is heavily dependent upon a central legend featuring a character called the Gun Merchant, and his battle of wills with a goddess of snakes named Manasa Devi. Although the Gun Merchant’s story is fictional, it is based on pre-existing folklore and a Hindu deity that is still worshipped in parts of India. Ghosh’s version of the legend therefore works as both a framing device within the story, and as a way to facilitate reflections on the link between ancient myths and modern-day occurrences.

Linked patterns of events and specific incidents that happen to the characters are found to constantly mirror the legend of the Merchant’s life. The Merchant is forced to flee overseas to escape disaster and the grief of his family’s death, and this happens to both Deen and Cinta as well. Deen leaves for America to avoid being falsely implicated in the death of his first love, Durga, while Cinta takes refuge in the United States to escape the paparazzi hounding her after her husband and daughter’s deaths. Additionally, while the Merchant flees his homeland, he is caught by pirates and sold to Captain Ilyas, who becomes a trusted traveling companion instead.