The God of Small Things (Finals)

 I. Introduction/General Information about the Book:

· Title: The God of Small Things

· Author: Arundhati Roy

· Type of Book: Fiction (novel)

II. Characters:

Main Character:

            Velutha is a skillful worker for the family of Ammu. He was strong and close to Rahel. He and Ammu had a secret affair that was discovered by his father that led to his death. He is the "God of small things" that the author tries to convey.

I can identify with the main character when he was thinking about the things that would happen the moment he would be carried away by his feelings and emotions to Ammu but neglected his intuitions and was carried his desire. Sometimes, I experience that moment and regret it afterwards. Doing what I want than doing what is right.

· Supporting Characters: (name at most three)

Baby Kochama is the grandaunt of the twins Estha and Rahel. She once was deeply fell in love with a priest but wasn't successful to get him. She finished ornamental gardening and later on was addicted from watching television.  She is a cruel woman who hates the twins, Ammu and Velutha ends up destroying everyone's life especially the twins who were innocent by lies and selfishness.

Sophie Mol is the daughter of Chacko and Margaret. She is the cousin of the twins who was just visiting Ameyemenem from the west. She was playful, outgoing and friendly. She drowned in the river because she doesn't know how to swim. Her death was a main conflict in th story and affected everyone in the story.

Ammu is the loving mother of the twins. Her husband is Baba whom he had left due to bad circumstances. Later on, she was passionately in love with Velutha. She was very guilty about velutha's death.

III. Setting

The story was set in Ayemenem, Kerala Province, India during the 1960's.

It was perfect for the reunion of the characters because it was their hometown. It had an important effect on them because the story revolved around the events that happened during their childhood even though it was painful. It also increased the knowledge of India's culture that included the caste system. The setting itself was an element in the story's main theme "small things". Behind its full of life exterior were the secrets, injustices, sins and promises referred to as the small things in the story.

IV. Plot: (in chronological order)

·        It started when the twins Estha and Rahel were born after Ammu, their mother, married Baba, thier father. Because her husband was so abusive, drunk and irresposible , she left him with her twins to live in Ayemenen with her family. Then soon after they transfered to Ayemenen, they knew that Chacko's daugther Sophie Mol was coming. After Sophie arrived, the distance between Ammu and Velutha were getting closer and closer.

·        Both deeply in to each other, Ammu and Velutha made love on the side of the river and sees every night to make love. Vellya Paapen, father of Velutha was the one who discovered the secret relationship. It made him sick and disgraced. Due to his drunkenness, he told that information to Mammachi and offered to kill his son from that forbidden affair that crosses caste. After knowing it, Baby Kochamma made sure that Ammu was locked in her room before they sent for Velutha.

·        After they knew that they had to get him to leave Ayemenem before Chacko returned. Their mother locked up in the room, cared for their mother but Ammu was not herself and made her children to run away. Sophie Mol, knowing the incident, convinced the twins if she can come. Rahel, Estha and Sophie Mol went to the riverbank to runaway. They set off on their boat but as they did it tipped off and Somphie Mol drowned and was nowhere to be seen.

·        After the incident, experiencing trauma, the twins rested at the History house.  The Sophie Mol's body was found floating on the river, by a fisherman. Then Baby Kochama went to the police headquarters and made a false story that lead the police to think that Velutha was threatening them, disrespecting them and was the one responsible for the death of Sophie Mol and the kidnapping of the twin. It is because she wants him to suffer and pay the price.

·        The police arrested Velutha and beat him up waking up the twins nearby. When the police asked for the statement of the twins, they knew the truth. The Inspector called Baby and told the situation that would endanger her. Made a deal to continue the false report if the twins cooperated. Then Baby did her act to manipulate the young hearts and minds of the innocent twins.

·        Baby was successful, was as free as a bird while Velutha, innocent on the charges, has already made a contract to the grim reaper. Ammu tried her best to deliver the truth but her efforts were wasted by the unjust officer. Then the twins were separated, Estha being raised by Baba. After many years, both at 31, they meet again. Both feeling sad about the deaths, traumas and the past nightmares they had, made love and they lived with each other breaking a Love law.

V. Theme

The author is trying to say that insignificant pleasures in life, no matter how satisfying they may be, have a certain karma that will follow. The lesson in the story is that we must be careful in everything we think, say or do, for any small mistake we commit can destroy one's life in an instance.

 The book showed how cruel, manipulative and destructive man can be and life is nothing but a tragedy. I learned that truth is the key to peace and harmony.

· State a problem in the story and how it was solved

When Baby Kochama knew that she may be imprisoned with false accusations against Velutha, she immediately thought of a plan. She manipulated the twins to tell what she wanted them to say. The twins followed her and she was saved from being captivated from charges. Baby Kochama's problem was solved even though it made a negative outcome.

VI. Evaluation of the Book:

             I really liked the book, though the story was sad and cruel. It really does happen even today. The writing style of Roy is kind of weird for me who reads book rarely. The book is realistic and gives us real events that are occurring everywhere. Though the story did not have a precise sequence of events because of flashbacks, it could still be understood by the readers. In general, this book was good.

English 11 book report

I Introduction/General Information about the Book

• Title: The Old Man and the Sea

• Author: Ernest Hemingway

• Type of Book:

Fiction (tragedy)

II Characters

Main Character:

• Santiago – He is an old fisherman with great skill but his luck is slowly depleting as days pass in his life. He lives alone and his past assistant/apprentice was Manolin. He is a nature lover and a person with great imagination. He is an optimist who has great faith and strong heart. He is a humble man who gives such and impportance to his apprentice. Santiago is a fighter and a person who won't give up.

• I can identify with the main character when:

 I can identify Santiago because the story focuses on him and from the start until the end. His thoughts, realizations, imaginations, struggles, trials and his success on that particular situation were all showed and presented.

• Supporting Characters:

•    Manolin

•    The Big Fish

•    Cafe owner

•    Manolin’s parents

• Describe some details about each supporting character

•    Manolin- Santiago's devoted apprentice. Even though his parents made him leave the old man and work for another boat, he still he still cares and adores the old man. He brought him food and beer, and he still worked like the old man's assistant. He loves the old man dearly.

•    The Big Fish- He was two feet longer than the old man's boat. He was strong and it was very strange because of its stamina and energy. The old man treated him as his friend and felt guilty that he had to kill it. He is the great motivator of Santiago to continue the catch and to endure whatever pains he may he can feel. He is the largest fish Santiago caught and was damaged by the sharks.

.

•    Manolin’s parents- They forced Manolin to leave the old man for they did not have any faith in him that he was still a great fisherman. They thought that their son would have better luck working for another boat.

•    Cafe owner- An owner of a cafe near the sea. He is kindhearted for he provided the old man's food brought by Manolin. He cares for Santiago.

III Setting

It was the late 1940's on the Gulf Stream, a warm current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, there lives an old man by the sea named Santiago.

    The setting was perfect for the old man’s adventure. It defines the main character for he is a fisherman and a fisherman's life depends on the open water. The setting is really fit for the title and it is exciting because the sea has many creatures and unpredictable.

• Summary of the story:

•    After 84 days of not catching a single fish because of bad luck, Santiago decided to set out to fish farther in the ocean for the greatest catch of his lifetime.

•    With the help of his apprentice Manolin, who joined on the first 40 days with him. Manolin was restricted by his parents to fish with Santiago because of bad luck. Despite the restriction, he is willing to help Santiago because of his love for his old friend and master.

•   Then Santiago started to row and began his journey without his assistant Manolin, set out his baits and waited for his big fish to come while observing, appreciating and thinking about the ocean and some animals for he loves the nature. Until, he felt that a fish has taken in one of his baits. It was a big fish.

•    The Big fish is very strong and Santiago, old and weak, couldn't kill the fish right away. He wished he had Manolin to help him with the fish. The fish started to tow the boat with it for it was too heavy for the man to pull up and kill. He had no other choice than to hold on to the fish until it comes to the surface for him to be able to kill it.

•    At last the fish was close enough to the surface and Santiago was able to kill it. He ties it at the side of his boat and sailed back to shore but as he did, sharks were attracted to the fish’s blood. He had to fight them off with the weapons he had.

•   With all his sufferings and endured pains, he went home safely with half of his caught fish. He and his apprentice, Manolin, were reunited. Manolin promised himself to be of help and support Santiago even if it is not permitted by his parents.

V Theme

• What is the author trying to say in this story? Is there a moral to this story?

 The author's message of the story is to become strong, dedicated, passionate and optimistic in our lives. We must face every problem that we may face in our existence with trust and faith in ourselves that we can overcome everything if we do our best and put our hearts into it. We must have confidence and a positive outlook in life. "Patience is a virtue" it is the most important value in the story, because being patient will make you successful with hard work. The author is also trying to say that old people must not be underestimated and ignored, for they will always be part of us and they deserve love and respect.

• This book showed me/I learned from this story:

The book showed me the importance of will and focus. If you have a strong will and focus, success will always be acquired. I learned that being optimistic will take away the pain and keep you motivated in every way. I learned that when trials break you, it doesn't end there; there will always be time for recovery and building up your strength. I also learned that hard work leads to success.

• State a problem in the story and how it was solved

The time when sharks were lured by the fish's blood, they attacked the ship. The old man, despite his wounds, hunger, thirst and extreme exhaustion, gave all of his strength to protect himself and the catch from the hungry sharks. He used up his remaining weapons to kill and drive them away. Half of the fish was taken away by the sharks but he safely arrived home and rested.

VI Evaluation of the Book

The book is inspiring and impressive, and i like it because it showed the great passion of a determined fisherman to succeed no matter how difficult the situation was. A person has limitations but even at his limit, a person can cling to his will and faith, to have a fruitful outcome. Even if the book focused on just one general event which was the catch, it showed many moral lessons and can open many doors for the mind to understand and realize the essence of life. The author delivered his messages to the readers by his inspiring book. At first, I thought a story with that title can excite and satisfy my need to read but in the end it was exciting and it has also many meanings, like the need of aid for Manolin by Santiago can be thought as the need of love from family and friends.