The Role of Family and Identity in The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997)

The Role of Family and Identity in The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997)

Expanding the Roles:
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is set in post-colonial India and follows the lives of fraternal twins, Estha and Rahel, whose lives are deeply affected by the tragic events surrounding their family. The novel explores themes of family, forbidden love, identity, and the impact of social and political forces on personal lives. For literature students, the novel offers a rich examination of how family dynamics, colonialism, and societal expectations shape individual identity.

• Family and Forbidden Love:
  The story centers around the dysfunctional family of Estha and Rahel, particularly their mother, Ammu. The forbidden love affair between Ammu and Velutha, a lower-caste man, serves as a focal point for the novel’s critique of caste and class. Students can analyze how family relationships are influenced by social divisions and how love can transcend or be destroyed by these divisions.

• Identity and the Legacy of Colonialism:
  The novel also addresses the lingering effects of colonialism on Indian society and its impact on personal identity. Students can explore how Roy uses the personal stories of her characters to comment on the broader social and political realities of post-colonial India.

What We Learn:
The God of Small Things teaches literature students about the complex interplay between family, social structures, and individual identity. The novel provides valuable insights into how post-colonial societies shape personal lives, and how love and identity are constrained by societal expectations and historical legacies.