https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk Arundhati Roy en-us 2020-08-20 10:19:38 UTC 2025-11-24 15:32:35 UTC hello@padlet.com mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688949463 The God of Small Things is a novel written by Arundhati Roy and it consist out of various themes, life lessons and relatable events, in which the reader of the novel can associate with.  ]]> 2020-08-20 10:21:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688949463 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688950884 The God of Small Things include themes such as the theme of small things, the theme of family and social obligations and the theme of Indian politics, society and class.  ]]> 2020-08-20 10:24:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688950884 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688954361 The third person narrator would rather focus on all the small things and events that take place in the novel. For example, Rachel's "Love-in-Tokyo" hairband and her toy watch that has "ten to two painted on it" (Roy, 2017:37). As the novel continues, the reader realizes that all the small things and events build up to create a big and tragic event; Sophie Mol's death. The small things related to Sophie Mol's death include her mother, Margaret Kochamma's decision to spend Christmas in India (Roy, 2017:250), Esthappen's terrifying encounter with the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man, where he was sexually assulted and feared that it may happen again (Roy, 2017:103) and Esthappen's decision to protect himself from the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man by taking the river boat out into the river at evening, taking Sophie Mol and Rachel with him (Roy, 2017:200). These small events and decisions all caused the death of Sophie Mol, an tragic ending that had an impact on each character of the novel. ]]> 2020-08-20 10:30:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688954361 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688959151 The third person narrator creates the illusion of seeing the world through the eyes of a child. For example, during the riot, Rachel saw red flags and her friend Velutha.  In contrast to Rachel's view, her mother, Ammu, and the rest of the family members saw violence, embarrassment and fear (Roy, 2017:80).  The narrator delivers a more innocent view about the novel and the focus are on all the small objects and events that takes place. However, the narrator and the reader soon realizes that all these small things and events have a much bigger, and a more tragic ending, causing the innocence of the novel and the childlike view of the world to become completely lost. ]]> 2020-08-20 10:40:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688959151 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688966791 The God of Small Things explains the lives of the individual characters and members of the Ipe-family.  The novel states the complicated relationship the family-members have as well as the reasons for the complications.  The relationship between brother, Chacko Ipe, and sister, Ammu Ipe, is a difficult relations, since both characters went through similar events but both had different reactions regarding their events and its outcomes. ]]> 2020-08-20 10:55:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688966791 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688975691 Both Chacko and Ammu are divorced.  Chacko received more relaxed reactions towards his divorce with Margaret Kochomma, even so that the family agreed that Margaret can spend the Christmas at their home and "Early next morning they would go to Chocin Airport to pick up Chacko;s ex-wife" (Roy, 2017:35). Chacko is still the Ipe-family's pride even though his actions are not always something to be proud about.  The family never resented him, and they create a double standard when it comes to family obligations, because they never accepted Ammu.  She received a different and more negative reaction towards her divorce and she "returned, unwelcomed, to her parents in Ayemen" (Roy, 2017:45) as well as Baby Kochamma who "resented" Ammu and believes that a divorced woman does not belong anywhere in society (Roy, 2017:45).  Thus stating the truth about the family's double standard obligations and Chacko is more accepted in the family even with his flaws, but Ammu however, will never be accepted resulting in the outcome where she loves an "Untouchable" and goes agains society's obligations (Roy, 2017:337).  ]]> 2020-08-20 11:13:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688975691 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688985791 Indian politics and the different types of classes in society is a continuous and evident theme throughout the whole novel.  It starts off from the differences between the "Touchables" and "Untouchables" and ends with riots of the Marxism movement (Roy, 2017:64).  As already stated, Ammu is a "Touchable" who falls in love with Velutha, an "Untouchable" (Roy, 2017:337).  This events creates chaos and disgrace in the Ipe-family, and it results in the death of Velutha and Ammu being disowned from her family.  Thus, two different social classes are not allowed to be seen together in the novel.  The riot about Marxism movement indicates the politics in India.  "The marchers that day were party workers, students and the labourers themselves.  Touchables and Untouchables" (Roy, 2017:69).  In the novel, the Indian politics cause the different social classes, the love-laws and tragic events that take place. The novel indicates the differences between the social classes and the differences in believes clearly.  ]]> 2020-08-20 11:28:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688985791 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688996906 The God of Small Things is an inspiring novel that made the reader think about certain events. It never occurred to me how small things or objects and events can build up and lead to a bigger, and sometimes more tragic event. This novel makes the reader think about certain events in his of her life, and to start identifying the small things that resulted in this big event. The novel is still relevant till this day , because we still have riots, we have arranged marriages and we have tragic events taking place. This novel is very relatable. Another interesting thought about the novel, is how much the Indian culture differs from mine. They are extremely strict regarding things such as romantic relationships, educations and work. It is fascinating to learn about the Indian culture through this novel. This novel gives the reader some different perspectives about the lives of individuals and how it differs from one another. ]]> 2020-08-20 11:44:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/688996906 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689007396 "Nothing mattered much.  Nothing much mattered.  And the less it mattered, the less it mattered" (Roy, 2017:19).  This quote links to the theme about small things.  Even though the narrator never thought that certain things mattered, it did, because it caused the tragic end of Sophie Mol's death. 

'So Small God laughed a hollow laugh, and skipped away cheerfully" (Roy, 2017:19). This quote also links to the theme of small things, because the "small god" already made little events take place and little objects to be identified to create the big and tragic end of Sophie Mol. ]]> 2020-08-20 11:57:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689007396 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689101503 "One of her ambitions was to own a watch on which she could change the time whenever she wanted to..." (Roy, 2017:37).  This quote links to the theme of small things.  Rachel is so focused on her tiny watch and she sees all the detail and forgets about the riots or Baby Kochamma's resentment towards her and Esthappen.  

"The marchers that day were party workers, students, and the labourers themselves. Touchables and Untouachables" (Roy, 2017:69). This quote links to the theme of Indian politics, society and class. This quotes indicates all the characters that are influenced by the politics. It is a clear indication that the whole group in India is influenced through politics in one way or another.  ]]> 2020-08-20 13:00:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689101503 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689134899 " 'D'you know what happens when you hurt people?' Ammu said.  'When you hurt people, the beh=gin to love you less.  That's what careless words do' " (Roy, 2017:112).  This quote links to the theme of family and social obligations.  Ammu thinsk that she is helping Rache, but she is actually doing the opposite.  She is hurting Rachel.  Her family obligation as a mother is to love her children and not break them down.  

"His feet walked him to the river.  As though they were the leash and he were the dog.  History walking the dog (Roy, 2017:288).  This links to the theme of Indian politics, society and class. Velutha is an "Untouchable" and their past has an influence on the way they are treated today.  He does not belong in the same area as the "Touchables" and they are often treated like dogs, thus the comparison with the leash.  Velutha feels as if history is repeating himself and he is back at the bottom, even though he works hard and has more experience than any other "Untouchable", he is still seen as unimportant. ]]> 2020-08-20 13:15:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689134899 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689160553 The death of Sophie Mol is an event that made an impressions.  Sophie Mol was a nine-year-old girl who suffered a tragic death.  Even though her death was an accident, it is still a horrible event that none of the characters in the novel was prepared for.  This made an impression because the reader realized that accidents happen so quick and life is a gift, that sometimes never lasts long.  

The forbidden love between Ammu and Velutha made an impression.  It is sorrowful to see two individuals who love one another be separated through a law or society obligations.  It made an impression, because the reader somehow feel sympathy towards the two individuals.  The impact their love has on the reader is memorable. 

The riot made an impression on the reader.  This event is still relevant till this day.  People are fighting for their rights as individuals as well as to be respected. It made an impression, because it is sad to think that till this day, there are still uneven justice for individuals and not everyone is treated fairly, whether it is according to your religion, social class or skin color. This is a tragic event that is continuous in the every day life of individuals. ]]> 2020-08-20 13:25:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/689160553 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690965783 As already stated, Arundhati Roy gave the reader the opportunity to change their view about the world created in the novel, to the view of a child.  Thus, the impression that the novel made, links to the theme of small things, as well as the quotes "One of her ambitions was to own a watch on which she could change the time whenever she wanted to..." (Roy, 2017:37) and "Nothing mattered much.  Nothing much mattered.  And the less it mattered, the less it mattered" (Roy, 2017:19). These quotes indicate the focus on small things in the world.  In addition to this, this novel also made an impression about the social classes and the riots that are still relevant till this day.  These three themes have a link with one another; the small things changes family, the family is influenced with the Indian politics and class or social status, and the politics are one of the small things that creates a bigger and more tragic ending of the novel.  Thus, the novel has a somewhat triangular cycle where the different themes have an impact on one another. This novel changed the reader's view about the world and to identify all the necessary small things that may actually cause a big ending in one's life. ]]> 2020-08-21 06:15:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690965783 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690974251 The author of the novel The God of Small Things. ]]> 2020-08-21 06:27:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690974251 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690977154 A river in India ]]> 2020-08-21 06:31:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690977154 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690980171 A toy watch, similar to the one that Rachel wore when she was 7-years-old. ]]> 2020-08-21 06:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690980171 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690982766 This novel encouraged the reader to change his or her mindset and to focus on the small things. ]]> 2020-08-21 06:38:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690982766 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690984544 An image illustrating Indian politics]]> 2020-08-21 06:41:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/690984544 mardene_bezuidenhout https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/691004620 A voice over to explain the Padlet ]]> 2020-08-21 07:08:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mardene_bezuidenhout/adyhb106qjnkzouk/wish/691004620