MOR Independent Reading
Tyler Goodspeed
Mrs. Disher
AP English/ pd.3
October 27, 2017
The God of Small Things
So far, The God of
Small Things by Arundhati Roy has been an interesting book to read. The
book focuses on two twins, Estha and Rahel, and their family. There has been a
lot of description and background in the first two chapters. It has been very
focused on giving each character its own backstory and describing their
personalities and why they act. We learn that Rahel and Estha come from a
broken family where their acholic father is away and they live with their mother’s
side of the family who cares little for them. It’s an interesting dynamic as we
observe the twins living in this situation, however, it is also quite confusing
as Roy tends to jump around from past to present constantly. It is also really
frustrating with the apparent lack of a coherent story and plot. Much of the story
has been merely description and backstory that does little to set up the story
Roy is trying to tell. Unless Roy is giving us all this information to set up
for future events, I do not see the reason for all this seemingly useless
information. Something I have noticed is the foreshadowing of future events explicitly
stated. It talks about Estha not speaking and the History House, “They didn’t know
that soon they would go in. That they
would cross the river and be where they weren’t supposed to be, with a man they
weren’t supposed to love. That they would watch with dinner-plate eyes as history
revealed itself to them in the back verandah” (53 Roy). This obvious foreshadowing hopefully sets up
some setting events for the future. What do you think Rebekah? Do you think Roy
gives us useless information, or is she trying to set up something bigger? Also,
do you believe that the events that have been foreshadowed will be important in
the Estha and Rahel’s life? Let me know what you think.
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ReplyDeleteRebekah Lindblom
DeleteJournal (ch. 3-5)
The over-descriptive approach with which Roy writes The God of Small Things is definitely very hard to read at times, however, I do believe that it allows readers to become completely amerced in the culture of this very messed up family. As far as the foreshadowing, I think that Roy is a smart writer and would not put useless information into the story. So yes, I do think everything that is foreshadowed will be important to some degree within the next bit.
As the novel continues, the twins are thrust into even more family chaos. The random flashbacks create a confusing and fragmented picture of their life in Ayemenem. Throughout these chapters, the value of love plays a major role in defining the lives of the twins. Because their true parental units are yet to be discovered, Estha and Rohel wonder at the value of love and how someone is allowed to be loved so much. Ammu (their mother) takes them to the movies one afternoon, and upon leaving Rohel makes a very disrespectful comment. Ammu replies, “Do you know what happens when you hurt people? When you hurt people, they begin to love you less. That’s what careless words do. They make people love you a little less” (Roy 107). In this novel, Roy is already attempting to define a couple of key things: 1) what is love? 2) who is deserving of love? 3) how much love is the right amount? These three questions I presume will be answered by the end of the novel, through the lives of Estha, Rohel, and their very dysfunctional family. Their deceased cousin, Sophie Mol, is a very interesting character. I think Roy is using her as a symbol of some kind. Tyler, what do you think about her? And is she a symbol? If so, what do you think she may symbolize? This book is getting crazy!! Let me know what you think!
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DeleteTyler Goodspeed
DeleteMrs. Disher
Journal Entry (Ch:6-8)
October 30, 2017
You have some really good points Rebekah! I definitely think Roy is trying to develop this theme of love and what it means in this book. As for Sophie Mol, I am not too sure what she symbolizes, but she is mostly definitely a symbol. She may symbolize this idea of a normal child from a loving family that Rahel and Estha wish they could have.
The book continues to get crazier and more revolting as I read. In chapter six, we get a glimpse of Ayemenyen in the present as Rahel tours her hometown and what it has become. Ayemenyen has grown in population and has more action than before with a huge hotel complex, yet has changed for the worse as the river has been used up and the slums have only gotten worse. This view of what Ayemenyen has become symbolizes how Rahel and Estha have both changed on the outside, but are still the same broken little kids on the inside, just like Ayemenyen. Chapter 7 gives us flashbacks to when Ammu dies, and memories of the twins lives as children. This chapter gives detailed description of Ammu’s final days and really strikes home the idea that Ammu was the only family member that really cared for Rahel and Estha. None of their relatives, not even their grandmother and uncle, give them more than token sympathy. This idea is reinforced in chapter 8 when the whole family is really introduced. We meet Mammachi who hates Chacko’s wife after meeting her zero times, we see Baby Kochamma get revenge on the twins for slight mistakes, and overall, we get this unfriendly vibe from many of the family members as they only look after themselves and their own interests. We even see the lengths they will go to serve different members of the family they love more as Mammachi, “had a separate entrance built for Chacko’s room which was at the western end of the house, so that the objects of his “Needs” wouldn’t have to go traipsing through the house.” (160-161 Roy). This disgusting example shows just how corrupt and selfish the twins family is.
What do you think? Is the family of Rahel and Estha even care for the twins? And why is there such uneven distribution of love as the family adores Sophie Mol who they have never met? This book keeps getting stranger, but let me know what you think.
Rebekah Lindblom
DeleteMrs. Disher
AP Lit/Pd. 3
Journal (ch. 9-10)
You are so right Tyler, this book is constantly growing stranger and stranger! You make some great points about the love and care that the family shows the twins, especially after Ammu dies. I think it’s interesting because Ammu does not seem to be a good mother while she is living, but after she dies, it’s almost as if the twins die to the family as well. Ammu seems to be the only tie between the other family members and the twins. I think that because the twins are so different in interaction, it scares the rest of the family a bit. However, with Sophie Mol, she is “normal” and “clean.” This family needs some normality in their life because to be quite honest, their life is a giant train wreck. They want to cling to normality in the midst of crazy confusion. But don’t we all? When life is spinning out of control don’t we just want to hang onto the things that don’t change at all?? That’s a great transition into some observations I have about chapters 9-10.
Roy continues to write this statement: “It’s true. Things can change in a day” (183). This statement is basically one of the themes of The God of Small Things. All of the characters, especially Ammu and Chacko, live their lives with only the present in mind. The family dynamics change so much within minutes, which not only creates more chaos, but confuses the character development. It is a very interesting choice that Roy has made because allowing so much chaos to exist within a small group of people says something about humanity. Roy is making the claim chaos promotes superficial behavior and humanity thrives off of superficial behavior. Not a single character in this novel is their true self; how do I know this? Well, many of the characters act differently around certain people and although that could be argued as just “natural”, I would argue that it is because they don’t have to be deep because of the chaos created in the home. So yeah, things can change in a day…and they definitely do when humanity is focused on the here and now superficially. Because of the confusing nature of many of the characters and the random way in which Roy organizes her storyline, one reading this novel may be thrown off guard with certain events. However, if one pays close attention, they would see that Roy is very good about putting clues in the text as to what is going to happen next. We have been introduced to the character Velutha through many different avenues. My question for you Tyler, is this: what clues has Roy given us to indicate he is not as pure as Rohel wants to make him out to be? Also, is this even significant to the story or theme?? Let me know what you think!!
Tyler Goodspeed
DeleteMrs. Disher
MOR Journal (Ch. 11-13)
October 31, 2017
Your point about humanity is so true! The family is so chaotic that they tend to focus on the present emotions and how they feel at the moment. They never seem to understand nor face the consequences of their actions. As for Velutha, he is made out to be a very likable character by the children, yet Roy gives us hints that he is not all good as we see he may be a part of a communist march and more. We even learn more about his dark side later in the book, but we will come to that later in this entry
In the chapters 11, 12, and 13, we get some really important details. We find Ammu dreaming about a man with one arm that she loves, yet cannot fully be with no matter how hard she tries. This dream foreshadows the relationship between Ammu and Velutha as they both love each other, but could never be together because Velutha is an untouchable. Ammu subconsciously realizes this and when the twins come to talk to her, she pushes them away and tells them later she doesn’t want them. Before we see the consequences of Ammu’s words, we see Rahel watching an old Indian story being acted out. While I did not understand it very well, I belive there is some significance of this play and the story. If you have any ideas what you think it means, let me know! Finally we get to chapter 13. This chapter actually made me reverse my opinion about the book. While I still detest the book, Roy gave beautiful imagery and explained many of the details explained earlier. We get a great summarization of how Chacko and Margret came together and the reasons for coming to India. We also see the effects of Ammu’s words on the twins as they try to run away to the History House to escape. As they flee, Sophie Mol chases after them and we learn nothing else about their journey. However, we do learn about Velutha’s relationship with Ammu and the death of Sophie Mol. This chapter really struck me because it gave me some insight into many of the characters and their emotions. We learn how Chacko’s divorce really hurt him, how Ammu had loved Velutha from the beginning, but knew it would never work out. We also learn how Mammachi and Baby only care for the family reputation and they learn of Ammu’s sin.
I wish I could say more, but there is so much more to talk about! What was your favorite part of chapter 13? And are you enjoying the book more as we uncover more details? I know I am.
Rebekah Lindblom
DeleteAP Lit/Pd. 3
Journal (ch. 14-16)
Ok so I will totally admit that up to chapter 13 I was disgusted with this book and the characters in it. But I totally agree with you, Tyler! Chapter 13 turned it around for me. My favorite part of that chapter was when we were forced into the café with Chacko and Margaret. I feel like that was the first time I saw Chacko as an actual human being with feelings. Once that story began to unfold, I started to realize why Roy writes the way she does. Roy only includes the bits and pieces of these characters because only bits and pieces are necessary. And that is an awesome place for me to begin my thoughts on chapters 14-16!
In these chapters, we begin to really understand the conflict between the Touchables and the Untouchables. Because of the relationship that has come to the surface between Velutha and Ammu, the whole family is enraged with Velutha, an untouchable. He makes his way through the river to the History House. I think the river is a huge symbol in this book, representing the need for escape. Velutha goes to the river to escape the violent rage that has overtaken Ammu’s mother; Ammu goes to the river to escape reality and live in a secret, alternate reality with Velutha. The kids go to the river to ultimately escape their life because they feel unwanted. Among the chaos in this family, the need for escape is totally understandable. I know I would feel obnoxiously overwhelmed if I were them. The river acts as a safe haven. Roy writes, “They ran along the bank calling out to her. But she was gone. Carried away on the muffled highway. Graygreen. With fish in it. With the sky and trees in it. And at night the broken yellow moon in it” (277). This “highway” is the river. The river that Sophie Mol dies in. The river that brought such relief for everyone else. How ironic, Arundhati Roy, how ironic. Sophie Mol left her home in England to come to this crazy family once her step father died…her mother wanted escape from that life for a while. And instead of feeling at peace, Sophie Mol dies where everyone else has found comfort. So those are some things that struck me. After reading this section however, I still wonder about Chacko. Chacko has gone through a lot in his life. I question his own morality when interacting with Margaret. Tyler, what do you think NOW about Chacko? Do you think he is a pivotal character, or more like a supporting character, coming in when necessary to keep the story moving? Let me know what you think!
(wow did I misjudge this book at first!!)
Tyler Goodspeed
ReplyDeleteMrs. Disher
MOR Journal (Ch. 17-19)
October 31, 2017
Wow, these next chapters really blew my mind, but first to answer your question, I believe Chacko is only a supporting character and someone who is easily manipulated which you will see why soon.
Chapter 17 gives us this last glimpse of the twins alone and, although we get very little closure on their lives, we get a very beautiful picture of them reuniting and becoming close once again. They both sit in silence, “It was a little cold. A little wet. A little quiet. The Air. But what was there to say?” (283 Roy). Despite their silence, all that needs to be communicated is. I think this gives us some closure on the twins and how they are re-writing the Love Rules and how they should be loved. After this beautiful scene, we are thrust into a violent one. We see the touchable police officers attack Velutha for being both an untouchable and a falsely accused criminal. This causes him to suffer terrible injuries that ultimately kill him and traumatizes the twins greatly as they don’t realize what is happening. This leads into my most hated scene in all the book. We find the twins in the inspector’s office where he comes upon the realization that Velutha did not kidnap them and in fact was innocent and that Baby Kochamma had lied to him. He calls her in and confronts her on it where she begs to talk to the children. Here she manipulates the children into believing that to save Ammu, they need to accuse Velutha as a criminal, saving her skin, but ruining four lives in the process. This disgusted me and me so angry that someone would be so selfish to ruin lives to save their own. Baby Kochamma had plenty of chances to tell the truth and instead, made Velutha seem like a demon when he was really a good man. This cumulated my hate for Baby tenfold as we realize just how bitter and jealous she is. She even continues to foster hate when she whispers suggestions into Chacko and Ammu to send Estha away and manipulate Ammu to leave to cover her tracks. These actions lead me to believe that Baby is one of the most heartless, greedy, malicious, and selfish woman I have read about.
I am sorry for the rant, but I was quite angry. However, I have some questions. What are your thoughts on the injustice served to Ammu, Velutha, and the twins and what do you think of Baby now? Also, I have finished the book and the ending blew me away and made me wonder, who is the God of Small Things? Finally, what are your thoughts on the book and what would you give it out of 10? This has been one heck of a ride and I had a great time discussing the book with you Rebekah! Can’t wait to see your response!
Rebekah Lindblom
DeleteAP Lit/Pd. 3
Journal (ch. 20-21...the end.)
Oh my goodness. This novel has me shook. Ok so before I let my final thoughts run wild, let me answer your questions. What Baby did to Ammu and the twins and Velutha is horrific. She took away the final thing that allowed them to truly live. Baby had zero right to do what she did and it is disgusting the selfishness that she had to muster in order to do what she did. As far as the God of Small Things. I think that the God of Small Things is not necessarily a person or a thing, but a principle. The God of Small Things represents the need that Ammu has for a consistant person to love her completely. I think sometimes Rahel and Estha are the God(s) of Small Things, but Velutha also fills that role for her. Honestly it’s hard to give this book a number, but I would give it an 8.5 and here’s why: The first half basically had me angered because I was disgusted and angry with the characters just because of who they are; but man, the second half delivered such depth and passion that it definitely effected the score!!
This novel was basically an emotional rollercoaster in my opinion. This corrupt family living together but never connecting until death tore them far beyond repair. Roy pulled at my heart strings in these last few chapters. In the first few chapters, Roy presents three questions that she wants to answer: 1) what is love? 2) who is deserving of love? 3) how much love is the right amount? Well she definitely answered them for the reader. What is love? Well love is risking your own reputation and livelihood for someone else. It’s believing someone isn’t what society labels them. Love is when Ammu sees past Velutha’s label of Untouchable. Love is seen in Rahel and Estha when they immediately accept Sophie Mol, knowing full well that she doesn’t think they are as good as her. Love is NOT seen in anything Baby does; she saves her own skin and throws her family under the horrific bus. Second question: Who is deserving of love? Well Roy makes the claim that everyone is deserving of love. Again, Ammu and Velutha’s relationship is key in making that claim. Also the love that Chacko still has for Margaret, even after she leaves him, shows that no matter how lives may diverge from each other, love is still possible; however, it may exist in a different capacity. Baby does not believe this however, because she treats Velutha with less respect than a dog. She doesn’t believe he even deserves a little love. The last question: How much love is the right amount to give someone? Well, Roy writes, “Had he known that he was about to enter a tunnel whose only egress was his own annihilation, would he have turned away” (315). Ammu, Rahel, and Estha had loved Velutha to death. Velutha knew that loving them would probably kill him, at least socially and politically. But he was willing to love them anyway. So how much love is enough? One may never know the exact answer, but Roy is very adamant about making the claim that if you are not compromising a part of your pride to love someone, then it is not enough. Every character in this novel had pride, not all of them compromised it in the name of love. Velutha’s death was the result of beautiful love. Baby’s actions were the result of love withheld. Love is a necessary part of life and like Roy writes, “What had come for them? Not Death. Just the end of living” (304). A life stripped of correct, wholesome, beautiful love, will not necessarily die physically, but one’s life—what keeps them getting up in the morning and giving each day their all—will cease to exist.
Woah. It looks like this book has done to both of you exactly what "great" literature aspires to do--make people live and feel and love and think in new ways. In terms of MOR analysis, you do a great job of working through the issues in character, symbol, and motif as they arise, especially tracking Roy's building of theme. It's particularly useful how you acknowledge the changing views on various characters as you learn more "bits and pieces"...like on Sophie Mol and Chacko. Good use of quotes to guide your thrusts toward MOWAW. Grade on Portals.
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