Comment on the title of the novel The God of Small Things.

Answer

Comment on the title of the novel “The God of Small Things.”

“The God of Small Things” (1997) is a novel written by Arundhati Roy (1961-Present). The title might sound puzzling, but it holds deep meanings throughout the story. It discusses the importance of little things and the details we often overlook, which hold immense significance. Here, we will explore how the title is justified through various instances in the novel.

Little Moments, Big Impact: In “The God of Small Things,” small moments hold immense power. For instance, when the main characters, Ammu, Rahel, and Estha, go to the movie theatre, they experience a pivotal moment that shapes their lives. This seemingly small event becomes a turning point. It shows how something insignificant can lead to significant consequences.

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.

Innocent Relationship: Velutha’s identity as the God of Small Things is supported at the end of the book when we learn about Ammu and Velutha’s first romantic encounters.