Sketch the character of Ammu
The God of Small Things is a notable literary work by Arundhati Roy. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The God of Small Things.
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Question: Sketch the character of Ammu.
Ammu is one of the central characters in Arundhati Roy’s “The God of Small Things.” She is the mother of Rahel and Estha and the sister of Chacko. She is portrayed as a complex and resilient woman struggling against the constraints of her society and family. Here are some characteristics feature of Ammu:
Independent Spirit: From a young age, Ammu has displayed a rebellious and independent spirit. She refuses to conform to the traditional roles assigned to women in her community and seeks freedom and self-expression despite societal expectations.
Intelligence and Education: Ammu is intelligent and well-educated, which sets her apart from many women in her community. Her love for literature and learning serves as a means of escape from the oppressive environment she finds herself in.
Forbidden Love: Love in “The God of Small Things” is often portrayed as forbidden or unconventional. From Ammu’s dream, we get the idea that “The God of Small Things” represents Velutha, the man whom she loves, even though society will never approve of them being together. In her dream, which takes place in chapter II and happens to be entitled “The God of Small Things”, Ammu dreams of a man with one arm who holds her close to him:
If he touched her, he couldn’t talk to her; if he loved her, he couldn’t leave; if he spoke, he couldn’t listen; if he fought, he couldn’t win.
When Ammu wakes from her dream, Rahel and Estha are there. Ammu notices a curl of shaved wood in Rahel’s hair and knows that the kids have been to see Velutha. She also knows something else:
She knew who he was – the God of Loss, the God of Small Things. Of course, she did
Sacrifice and Suffering: Throughout the novel, Ammu bears immense sacrifice and suffering for the sake of her children and her pursuit of love and autonomy. Her sacrifices highlight societal injustices and the price individuals must pay for challenging societal norms.
In “The God of Small Things,” Ammu’s character embodies the struggles of marginalized individuals in a society rife with prejudice and inequality. Her journey is a poignant exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, love, and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.