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.