Discussion Notes

1st meeting: Ch. 1-8

Summary: We are introduced to Ayemenem with returning to her family. Baby Kochamma is introduced as well as that Rahel and Estha are fraternal twins. A flashback to Sophie Mol, their cousin, introduces the rest of the family to the reader. We learn the backround of several characters to set the scene as well. Several events pass for each character as we switch from the past to the present to learn their characteristics. As they are riding to see The Sound of Music and family tensions reveal things in the past for Chacko and Ammu. We also learn the origin of Pappachi’s moth and how it brought him sadness. Then there is the ODLDM situation, which is seen to haunt Estha for the rest of his life. Velutha is thought to be a Communst. The book describes events leading up to the arrival of Sophie Mol. The story jumps closer to the present describing events after Ammu died. Tensions rise between the family and Velutha and the Communists.

Discussion Leader- Becca Fillip

Quality Questioner- Becca Fillip

How does status play a role in the lives of each one of the Ipe family?

Does Rahel feel nostalgic when she thinks of home or is not a feeling of happiness when she thinks of home?

The timeline of the novel is not sequential, but the death of Sophie Mol is repeatedly marked as very significant, but is her death the main focus of the novel or is Rahel and her relationship with Estha?

How do you see the social and cultural gaps in generations portrayed in this novel?

Baby Kochamma seems to be described quite often in the novel, and she also seems to have many interesting connections to the main characters. What do you think about Baby Kochamma’s character and her relationship with Rahel and Estha?

Creative Connector-  Caleb Quick

Page 63-67: Communism, Red Scare connection

Page 67: A rose by any other name

Literary Luminary- Nate Perena

            Rhetorical Question (p 32-33)

Ch 1 poses question about events that happen in book. Either it all began when Sophie Mol came to Ayemenem, or it is just another part of history

            Change in Point of View (p 134-135)

Ch 6 when passengers come off plane, they are more westernized and author gives their perspective - India is more dirty and poor

            Many/Combined Flashbacks

All chapters - gives background information, explanations of tendencies, event origins

Recorder- Ben Hallett

“How does status play a role in the lives of each one of the Ipe family members?’

Family is a relatively wealthy family

Owned the Pickle Factory

Go to movie dressed up

When driving home, roll windows up when the lower class people come by

House they lived in seemed dilapidated

Untouchables vs. Touchables- Ipe family refers to others as “Untouchables”

“Does Rahel feel nostalgic when she thinks of home or is not a feeling of happiness when she thinks of home?”

Rahel enjoys Estha and being around him

Rahel does not miss Ammu

“I love you a little less” instance

Ammu disciplined her children, and not every time the children were able to tell the difference between discipline and hatred.

“The timeline of the novel is not sequential, but the death of Sophie Mol is repeatedly marked as very significant, but is her death the main focus of the novel or is Rahel and her relationship with Estha?”

Sophie Mol is mentioned several times, which could lead to some of the problems later in the book linked to her

There are other issues already discussed in the book, so the main focus may not be solely about Sophie Mol

Many of the issues faced are due to family problems

The main focus could be family oriented

“How do you see the social and cultural gaps in generations portrayed in this novel?”

Big difference between generations regarding marriage

Mammachi and Pappachi stayed together, when Baba and Ammu divorced, along with Chacko and Margaret (in the same generation as Ammu)

Estha and Rahel’s struggles seem more honest, when the older generations stemmed more from mistakes

“Baby Kochamma seems to be described quite often in the novel, and she also seems to have many interesting connections to the main characters. What do you think about Baby Kochamma’s character and her relationship with Rahel and Estha?”

Baby Kochamma’s life could be background context for later events in the book to come.

Has many different connections to people

Baby Kochamma does not like Rahel and Estha

In fact, she wants to see them fail or experience something tragic in their life

At times, Baby Kochamma can seem scared of the twins.