The God of Small Things: Symbolism

General Symbolism

The House of Ayemenem symbolises the societal norms, traditions, and social hierarchies that the characters must navigate. Its crumbling state represents the fragile structures of these antiquated systems.
The river, like in many other narratives, is symbolic of the flow of life. It undergoes changes, sometimes gentle, sometimes violent, representing the ebb and flow of life’s circumstances.
The moth seen by Rahel near the end of the novel symbolises the ghost of Sophie Mol. Its death could signify the ending of the haunting and the beginning of a new chapter.

Velutha himself is a symbol of untouchability and the injustice of the caste system. His illicit relationship with Ammu represents forbidden, transgressive love that defies societal norms.
Sophie Mol, as a half-English character, symbolises the lingering effects of colonialism and reminds the twins of their lower status due to their perceived illegitimacy.
“The God of Small Things” - This title given to Esthappen could imply his significance in the narrative, despite his seemingly insignificant status in society. His power lies in the details, the “small things”, a motif that recurs in the novel.

The pickle factory, named “Paradise Pickles & Preserves”, alludes to the lost paradise of the family. The pickle process metaphorically connects to their lives – it’s a preservation of food just as memories are preserved.
Mammachi’s violin represents her unfulfilled dreams and her consequent submissiveness, while the melody she often plays reflects the tragic undertone of the novel.
Pappachi’s moth symbolises the family’s decline. Pappachi’s discovery of a new moth species went unnoticed and uncredited during his lifetime, and similarly, his family suffers but their suffering goes largely unnoticed.

Capitalised words and phrases such as “Love Laws” and “Big Things” vs “Small Things” carry metaphorical implications. “Love Laws” underline societal norms and expectations about love and relationships, while “Big Things” and “Small Things” signify the characters’ struggle with their place within societal hierarchies.
The songs, repeated throughout the novel, hold symbolic meanings. “Oh Come Let us Adore Him” signifies the communal acceptance of Sophie Mol, whereas Rahel’s “Little Blessed One” song denotes her struggle with feelings of unworthiness.
The setting - Events crucial to the plot take place on a holiday signifying liberation (Sophie Mol’s death) and a hartal day signifying societal resistance (Velutha’s death). These indicate the overarching theme of personal liberation versus societal oppression intrinsic in the narrative.