The God of Small Things: Arundhati Roy

Characterisation

Ammu embraces her individuality and retaliates against societal norms. She acts as the voice of rebellion against gender bias and the caste system.
Rahel and Esthappen, the twins, are examples of how society’s rules and bias can influence and scar innocent lives. Their intricate and sensitive portrayal is key to understanding the narrative’s overall impact.
Chacko is a Marxist who has still benefited from the privileges of his high caste and wealth, highlighting the complex relationship between individual beliefs and societal structures.
Baby Kochamma symbolises the corrupting influence of colonialism, longing for acceptance from the British but also embodying racial and social prejudices.

The novel explores themes of social hierarchy, caste discrimination, communism, and the repercussions of colonial rule. Understanding how these theme interrelate is crucial to understanding the novel.
Love, both familial and romantic, forms a central theme. Forbidden love affairs and familial complexities provide a stark contrast to societal norms and expectations, provoking that “Once the love laws were rewritten, anything could be allowed”.
Politics and the influence of communism in Kerala is an overarching theme. Roy uses local politics to illustrate the larger political picture of India and demonstrate how it affects individual life.

Non-linear narrative - The novel’s story does not follow a chronological order, which reflects the fragmented and chaotic experiences and memories of the characters. Understanding this structure is important for interpreting the novel.
Symbolism is rampant throughout the novel – from the ‘Orangedrink Lemondrink Man’ symbolising looming danger, to the PWD building foreshadowing scandal, and the river representing the flow of life and inevitable change.

The plight of characters like Ammu and Velutha must be understood within the context of post-Colonial India’s socio-political climate.
Sympathising with the marginalised sections of society, particularly the ‘Untouchable’ caste, offers an awareness of societal division and prejudice that is integral to the narrative.
Understanding the distinct society of Kerala within the broader Indian cultural landscape is crucial - its high literacy rates, matriarchal society, and significant Christian community all shape the characters and their interactions.

Code-switching, the alternate use of Malayalam and English, reflects the post-colonial identity crisis and the strive for acceptance in a globally dominant culture.
Imagery is a salient feature of Roy’s writing. The vivid sensorial experiences she creates - such as the detailed descriptions of the natural landscape – serve to highlight the contrast between the natural world and the injustices of the social world.
The novel also uses metaphor and simile heavily, reiterating the key themes and allowing deeper, more nuanced exploration of the characters’ thoughts and experiences.