The God of Small Things as a Novel of Big Things

Abstract

This academic paper explores Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things as a complex literary canvas where intimate, familial moments are woven into the fabric of broader societal narratives. Set in Ayemenem, Kerala, the novel articulates issues such as caste-based oppression, colonial residues, gender roles, trauma, and political authoritarianism through a deeply lyrical style. This paper uses diagrams, thematic charts, and a chronological timeline to show how Roy magnifies social critique through the lens of everyday experiences. Humans often see themselves as the pinnacle of creation, ordained by God to rule over the earth. Yet, when measured against the quiet resilience of nature and the harmony of other life forms, human existence seems fleeting, fragile, and far less significant than we assume. The world around us doesn’t affirm our supremacy, it humbles us.