Intro to The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things (1997) is a postcolonial novel that explores themes of social hierarchy, forbidden love, colonial legacy, and political unrest in India. Set in the southern state of Kerala, the novel tells the story of twins Rahel and Estha as they navigate a world shaped by caste oppression, gender inequalities, and rigid societal norms. Roy’s narrative blends personal tragedy with historical realities, revealing the deep scars left by colonial rule and post-independence struggles.
The novel’s non-linear structure, poetic language, and fusion of English with Malayalam reflect both India’s colonial past and its evolving postcolonial identity. By intertwining the personal and the political, Roy critiques the remnants of colonial power structures, caste discrimination, and patriarchal oppression in contemporary India.
Historical and Cultural Context of Postcolonial India
To fully understand The God of Small Things, it is essential to examine the historical and cultural background that shaped postcolonial India.
1. British Colonial Legacy
India gained independence from British rule in 1947, but the colonial impact remained deeply embedded in its social, political, and economic systems. The British had:
- Introduced English education, which created a class divide between Western-educated elites and the rural population.
- Reinforced caste and religious divisions through policies that favored certain groups over others.
- Established laws and institutions that continued to shape post-independence governance.
In the novel, the British colonial past lingers in social attitudes, language use, and power dynamics, influencing characters like Baby Kochamma, who internalizes Western superiority.
2. The Caste System and Social Inequality
Despite independence, India continued to struggle with deep-rooted caste discrimination. The novel highlights the oppression of Dalits (formerly “Untouchables”), particularly through the character of Velutha, a low-caste man who suffers due to strict social hierarchies. His love affair with Ammu, a woman from a higher caste, becomes a symbol of resistance against caste oppression.
Roy exposes how caste violence persists in postcolonial India, showing that colonialism did not create caste divisions, but it reinforced them through legal and social structures.
3. Communist Politics in Kerala
Kerala, where the novel is set, has a unique political history. By the 1960s and 1970s, it had become a hub of communist movements, advocating for land reforms and workers’ rights. However, these movements often clashed with deep-seated caste and class biases.
In The God of Small Things, Roy critiques the hypocrisy of Kerala’s communist leaders, who claim to fight for the oppressed but still uphold caste-based oppression. This is evident in Comrade Pillai, who manipulates the system for his own benefit while betraying Velutha, a lower-caste man.
4. Gender and Patriarchy in Postcolonial India
Women in postcolonial India faced strict social norms and limitations, despite constitutional guarantees of equality. The novel highlights gender-based oppression through:
- Ammu, who suffers due to rigid gender norms that deny her autonomy.
- Baby Kochamma, who internalizes patriarchal values and polices other women’s behavior.
- Rahel, whose struggles reflect how women’s choices are still controlled by societal expectations.
Roy critiques how colonial ideologies reinforced patriarchal structures, leaving women vulnerable to oppression even after independence.
Conclusion
Through The God of Small Things, Roy presents a layered critique of postcolonial India, exposing the lingering effects of British rule, caste oppression, gender inequality, and political corruption. By blending personal narratives with historical realities, she reveals how colonialism’s legacy continues to shape contemporary Indian society. The novel stands as a powerful exploration of love, loss, and resistance in a world still struggling to break free from its colonial past.
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