Why did Baby Kochamma become a frustrated figure?
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, and various study materials of The God of Small Things.
Answer
In what sense is Margaret Kochamma a victim of misfortunes in “The God of Small Things?” [2022]
Or, Why did Baby Kochamma change in life? [2021]
Or, Why did Baby Kochamma become a frustrated figure? [2020]
Or, Why did Baby Kochamma become a frustrated figure in “The God of Small Things? [2017] ✪✪✪
Arundhati Roy (1961-Present), in her novel “The God of Small Things” (1997), shows how love, religion, and loneliness shape human lives. Baby Kochamma is a minor yet powerful character. She becomes a frustrated figure because her dreams of love, fame, and happiness never come true.
Failure in Love: When young, Baby Kochamma falls in love with Father Mulligan, an Irish priest. Her love is forbidden and one-sided. She even joins a convent to be near him but fails. The narrator says,
“She hadn’t learned to control her hopes yet.”
Her broken dream fills her with sadness and anger.
Loneliness and Jealous Nature: Baby Kochamma grows old and bitter. She lives alone in Ayemenem House. She is jealous of others’ happiness, especially Ammu’s love for Velutha. The narrator says,
“When you hurt people, they begin to love you less.”
She hurts everyone around her and loses love in return.
Loss of Faith and Material Change: She once believed in religion and love, but later she changes completely. She becomes selfish and loves money, TV, and comfort. Her house becomes empty like her heart. The narrator says,
“She’s living her life backwards.”
This shows her lost spiritual life and inner emptiness.
Thus, Baby Kochamma becomes a frustrated woman because she loses love, faith, and humanity. Her heart turns cold with jealousy and regret. Through her, Arundhati Roy shows how loneliness and bitterness destroy the beauty of human life.