'God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy (Novel)

Hello readers, this blog is a part of my Bachlor syllabus, which deals with the Arundhati Roy's novel i.e 'God of Small Things'

About the Author:

Suzanna Arundhati Roy (born 24 November 1961)  is an Indian author best known for her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and became the best-selling book by a non-expatriate Indian author. She is also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes.  She was the winner of the 2024 PEN Pinter Prize, given by English PEN, and she named imprisoned British-Egyptian writer and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah as the "Writer of Courage" with whom she chose to share the award. In her film review titled "The Great Indian Rape Trick", Roy questioned the right to "restage the rape of a living woman without her permission", and charged Kapur with exploiting Devi and misrepresenting both her life and its meaning.

About the Story

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy follows the story of the Ipe family, a wealthy Syrian Christian family in Ayemenem, Kerala. The novel moves between 1969 and 1993, revealing past events in a fragmented way. The main focus is on seven-year-old twins, Estha and Rahel, who live with their mother, Ammu, their uncle Chacko, their grandmother Mammachi, and their great-aunt Baby Kochamma. Ammu had married an alcoholic man, Baba, hoping to escape her home, but after their separation, she returned to Ayemenem with her children. The story also introduces Velutha, an "Untouchable" worker at the family’s pickle factory, who is deeply loved by the twins.

The major turning point happens when Chacko’s ex-wife, Margaret, and their daughter, Sophie Mol, visit Ayemenem. Around the same time, Estha is molested by a vendor at a movie theater, an event that leaves him deeply disturbed. Meanwhile, Ammu and Velutha begin a secret love affair, defying caste rules and social expectations. When Velutha’s father informs Mammachi about the affair, the family reacts with rage. Ammu is locked in her room, and the twins overhear her calling them a burden. Heartbroken, they run away with Sophie Mol. However, their boat overturns, and Sophie Mol drowns. Baby Kochamma falsely accuses Velutha of kidnapping the twins and assaulting Ammu. Velutha is brutally beaten by the police and later dies in custody. Baby Kochamma manipulates the situation further, forcing Estha to lie to the police, leading to Velutha’s tragic fate. After Sophie Mol’s funeral, Baby Kochamma convinces Chacko to throw Ammu out of the house, and Estha is sent away to live with his father.

Years later, in 1993, Estha and Rahel reunite in their childhood home, now a place of decay and loneliness. Estha, who has been silent for years, returns after being sent away, while Rahel comes back after a failed marriage in America. Their shared trauma and isolation bring them close again, and they reaffirm their bond in a moment of physical intimacy. The novel ends with a flashback to Ammu and Velutha’s love, highlighting how their small acts of defiance led to tragic consequences.

Themes

Family and Social Obligation

The novel explores the complicated relationships within the Ipe family, shaped by social obligations and personal struggles. Baby Kochamma, driven by jealousy and a desire for social approval, manipulates events against her own family members. Similarly, Velutha’s father, Vellya Paapen, values societal norms over family bonds when he exposes his son’s love affair, leading to Velutha’s downfall. Ammu’s relationship with her twins is central to the story, showing both deep love and moments of rejection, which deeply impact Estha and Rahel’s lives. The novel constantly highlights the struggle between love and duty, showing how rigid social expectations can destroy families.

Indian Politics, Society, and Class

The book reflects the social and political landscape of Kerala in the late 1960s. The rise of Communism threatens the traditional power of landlords like the Ipes. The caste system, though officially abolished, still dictates people's lives, as seen in the brutal treatment of Velutha for daring to love Ammu. Religion also plays a role, with Mammachi and Baby Kochamma using their Syrian Christian faith to justify their prejudices. Gender discrimination is another key issue—men like Pappachi and Chacko enjoy privileges and are excused for their flaws, while Ammu is shamed for her divorce and later cast out for her relationship with Velutha. The novel uses the Ipe family’s personal conflicts to reflect the larger struggles within Indian society.

Love and Sexuality

Love in The God of Small Things often crosses forbidden boundaries, leading to tragedy. Estha and Rahel’s twin bond is the strongest relationship in the novel, offering them refuge from the world’s cruelty. However, love is shaped by rigid societal rules, referred to as the "Love Laws," which dictate who is allowed to love whom. Ammu and Velutha’s relationship is the clearest example of love defying social boundaries, yet it results in destruction. The novel also explores how love and sexuality can be oppressive, as seen in Mammachi’s abusive marriage and Estha’s molestation. The final scene between the twins, though controversial, represents their desperate attempt to reclaim love and comfort in a world that has denied them both.

Change vs. Preservation

The novel contrasts the desire to hold on to traditions with the inevitable march of change. The family pickle factory, Paradise Pickles & Preserves, symbolizes an attempt to preserve things as they are. Mammachi and Baby Kochamma try to maintain old traditions, especially the caste system and gender roles, while the Communist movement and Ammu’s actions challenge these outdated values. Despite efforts to control the past, change happens—Estha and Rahel’s childhood is shattered, the History House is turned into a five-star hotel, and the old social order begins to collapse. The novel suggests that small, personal actions can have lasting effects, shaping history in unexpected ways.

Small Things

The novel’s title reflects its focus on small moments and details, which carry deep meaning. Roy’s writing style often mirrors the way children perceive the world—paying attention to minor objects, sounds, and words. Small things, like Rahel’s plastic watch with a painted-on time, symbolize attempts to stop time and preserve the past. The story emphasizes how seemingly insignificant events—Ammu’s whispered words, a boat tipping over, a police officer’s decision—lead to life-changing consequences. Through this, Roy shows that history is not only shaped by grand events but also by everyday moments, emotions, and choices.

Conclusion

The God of Small Things is a powerful novel that weaves together personal and political struggles, showing how love, loss, and social rules shape people’s lives. Through the story of the Ipe family, Roy highlights issues like caste discrimination, gender inequality, and the weight of societal expectations. The novel’s poetic style and focus on small details make it a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read, emphasizing that the smallest moments often carry the greatest significance.

I hope this would be helpful,

Thank you.