The river had “accept the offering,” (257) carrying Sophie Mol’s body away. Sophie Mol was almost nine when she drowned in the river while crossing the river with Estha and Rahel. Once again, this reveals that river holds one of the many secrets of the river.įurthermore, Sophie Mol's death is the most crucial event of the novel which creates the domino effect that changes the lives of everyone who knew Sophie Mol. Because their affair takes place in proximity to the river, it also rebirths Ammu as she finds true love that completely contrasts her seemingly one sided relationship with Larry. When Velutha and Ammu met, the river and the night are the only ones to witness their 'dance' (317).

The following telegraphic sentences describe Veltha as a 'log' and a'serene crocodile,' (315) making him a part of nature rather than a product of society’s expectations. In a way, Velutha is cleansing himself of all the standards of society as his affair with Ammu removes the caste system. Before Velutha meets Ammu, he is floating in the river. The river can be considered the holder of all secrets as well as its typical symbolism of death and rebirth.Īmmu and Velutha's secret affair takes place right next to the river. These events include: Ammu and Velthua's secret affair and Sophie Mol's death. Almost all of the monumental events are associated with the river. Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of The God of Small Things and seeking not only a guide to the novel, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Roy's text.The river can arguably be considered the most important symbol of the novel. cross-references between sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism.a selection of new essays and reprinted critical essays by Padmini Mongia, Aijaz Ahmad, Brinda Bose, Anna Clarke, Émilienne Baneth-Nouailhetas and Alex Tickell on The God of Small Things, providing a range of perspectives on the novel and extending the coverage of key critical approaches identified in the survey section.a critical history, surveying the many interpretations of the text from publication to the present.an accessible introduction to the text and contexts of The God of Small Things.This guide to Roy’s ground-breaking novel offers: On publication Arundhati Roy's first novel The God of Small Things (1997) rapidly became an international bestseller, winning the Booker Prize and creating a new space for Indian literature and culture within the arts, even as it courted controversy and divided critical opinion.

The god of small things pages