God of Small Things

493 Words2 Pages
Q. Why is this book Indian? The ‘God of Small Things’ written by Arundhati Roy is an ambitious work that displays a wide variety of ideas relating to the history of the members of the Kochamma family as well as the wider concerns of the Kerala region of India. There are many evidences in the story that show that the book is an Indian one. Firstly, the story is set in Ayemenem, a small town in the Kerala province of South India. Moreover, Syrian Christians were predominant in South India. This gives the reader an indication that a considerable part of the story deals with something about India. Secondly, Indian history shapes the plot and meaning of The God of Small Things in a variety of ways. In many instances, Arundhati Roy comments sarcastically on the social and religious realities of India and also examines the historical roots of these realities. For example, the author repeatedly mentions about the rigid cast system, which was deeply embedded over centuries in the Indian society and was prevalent at the time the novel was written. Thirdly, the story addresses a variety of themes ranging from religious and social discrimination to forbidden love, which are typical of Indian society. The story is set in the caste society of India, which was stratified and rigid. At that time, members of the untouchable caste were not permitted to touch members of higher castes or enter their houses. The Untouchables were considered polluted beings. They had the lowliest jobs and lived in inhuman conditions. Social discrimination is shown by a number of instances when Mammachi and Baby Kochamma would not mix with those of a lower class. Also, the love between Ammu and Velutha received a great amount of prejudice because Velutha belonged to the untouchable caste. Arundhati Roy shows other types of less evident discrimination. For example, there is religious
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