(pg. numbers not given because of different editions of book)
“In a purely practical sense it would probably be correct to say that it all began when Sophie Mol came to Ayemenem…Equally, it could be argued that it actually began thousands of years ago”.
Where: Ch.1
Significance: This quote poses a rhetorical question in a sense to question how all of the events of the novel occurred: either by the arrival of Sophie Mol or that it is a part of history. It asks the reader to think of what the origin of this book is.
Response: There is no real response as the narrator contemplates to himself/herself, but instead a response from the reader as they think about it when reading through the book.
“And the airport itself! More like the local bus depot! The birdshit on the building! Oh the spitstains on the kangaroos!”
Where: Ch.6
Significance: Roy, in this instance, shifts the point of view from the main characters to people coming off the plane into India. From their descriptions it gives a different and quite negative status of India as being poor and “run down”.
Response: This quote is more of a response itself to the poverty of India, but it does illicit a response from the reader. They are reminded of the living conditions of India that was not specifically described by the characters previously in the book.
“As the hot magenta jam went round, Estha became a Stirring Wizard with a spoiled puff and uneven teeth, and then the Witches of Macbeth”.
Where: Ch.10
Significance: This is an allusion to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This quote compares Estha to the witches in Shakespeare’s play, who were seen as the foreseers and paid attention to detail, which were some of Estha’s characteristics.
Response: This quote was actually a description that was not actually said, but later on Estha exhibits these by paying close attention to the recipes an constantly thinking about the the Orange Drink Lemon Drink Man.
“Chacko told the twins that, though he hated to admit it, they were all Anglophiles. They were a family of Anglophiles. Pointed in the wrong direction, trapped outside their own history and unable to retrace their steps because their footprints had been swept away”.
Where: Ch.2
Significance: Not only does this quote give a background of the family, but it also gives their opinion. They are described as Anglophiles, usually richer than the poorer population. They do not like being called that because they are pretty much lost in their own history.
Response: Rahel and Estha do not really understand what Chacko means when he says they are Anglophiles, but they can sense how Chacko feels about it though.
“Then she shuddered her schoolgirl shudder. That was when she said: How could she stand the smell? Haven’t you noticed? They have a particular smell, these Paravans.”
Where: Ch. 13
Significance: The caste system is seen in this quote by Baby Kochamma with the Paravans at the bottom. Baby is also seen as condescending when faced with individuals from a lower class. It is not to say that only she is like this but others as well.
Response: This was in response to a Paravan in the atmosphere. Mammachi then responds to this by agreeing with her and causing her to rebuke the Paravan and making him go away.
“‘More than Double,’ Ammu said. ‘So remember what I told you. People’s feelings are precious. And when you disobey me in Public, everybody gets the wrong impression.’”
Where: Ch.6
Significance: This quote characterizes Ammu while revealing an important plot point. Ammu is seen as strict, yet loving and a good parent to Rahel and Estha. She teaches them how society works in a very literal sense. She also reveals that most people are not emotionally prepared enough for the world, which can be exhibited in the kids later on.
Response: Although before saying that they loved her “double”, the twins now understand how to behave while sulking. Baby Kochamma agrees with her point, sarcastically calling them ambassadors.
“Inside the earth Sophie Mol screamed, and shredded satin with her teeth. But you can’t hear screams through earth and stone. Sophie Mol died because she couldn’t breathe. Her funeral killed her.
Where: Ch.1
Significance: Although a dark tone, the narrator expresses the details of how Sophie Mol did not die from her drowning (later revealed), but from the grave that she was buried in. Death is not labeled as death until others recognize it by burying away their death.
Response: Ammu and the children express sad emotions as the burial of Sophie Mol happened a few moments ago. They are all in a trodden mood as they go through the rest of their day.
“‘Liar,’ Rahel said. ‘Liar and pretender. I did see you. You were a Communist and had a shirt and a flag. And you ignored me.’
Where: Ch.8
Significance: Rahel although as a young child is implied to have known that Communists are not good. She talks to Velutha and accuses him of such. He accuses him of having an alternate identity, different from the Velutha that she knows. This also reveals some of the setting as Communism has started to gain ground during the time Rahel was around.
Response: Velutha responds by directly denying that it was him, saying that it was his twin-brother, who doesn’t exist. From his response it can be said that Velutha has some sort of regret to being a Communist.
“Baby Kochamma resented Ammu, because she saw her quarreling with a fate that she, Baby Kochamma herself felt she had graciously accepted. The fate of the wretched Man-less woman.”
Where: Ch.2
Significance: This give a little bit of background as to why Baby Kochamma the way she is. She is mean to Ammu and the twins because since her past was not ideal for her, the only way to make it even is to make their lives hard too. They did not appreciate the similar experiences as she did.
Response: There is not an immediate response, but in multiple instances Baby Kochamma further reveals her feelings towards other family members while harassing them. This is to appease her own emotions/
“If they hurt Velutha more than they intended to, it was only because any kinship, any
connection between themselves and him, at least biologically he was a fellow creature—had been severed long ago. They were not arresting a man, they were exorcising fear.”
Where: Ch.18
Significance: Hear, Rahel and Estha have now abandoned everything they had felt for Velutha. They are no longer sympathetic towards him as he is being arrested by the police. They also resort to getting rid of fear as to why they feel that way.
Response: Velutha is then confronted by the police, where Etha and Rahel watch, doing nothing. They only describe the gruesome details as Velutha slowly dies. The only thing they do is contemplate instead of help him.
“Who was he? Who could he have been? The God od Loss. The God of Small Things. The God of Goosebumps and Sudden Smiles.”
Where: Ch.20
Significance: In this quote the title of the book is stated indicating that the story revolves around this point. It can be argued that Velutha is the God of Small Things he took part in the simple pleasures of life like his love for Ammu, instead of indulging himself in the riches.
Response: Velutha cannot do anything to break the barriers of different classes, him and Ammu, but nonetheless Ammu responds mutually about her love for him. She also has found joy in the small things.
“As Estha stirred the thick jam he thought Two Thoughts, and the Two Thoughts he thought were these: (a) Anything can happen to anyone. and (b) It’s best to be prepared.”
Where: Ch.10
Significance: Estha reveals a bit of wisdom while cooking. What he says can also be a theme of the entire book as so many unfortunate events happened to several characters, like Baby Kochamma’s loneliness and the death of Sophie Mol. It is logical to think that Estha would want to prepare himself for whatever may come.
Response: This is one of Estha’s thoughts so there is not a response, but he now recognizes that he is content with his little “bit of wisdom”.
“The inspector asked his question. Estha’s mouth said Yes. Childhood tiptoed out. Silence slid in like a bolt.”
Where: Ch.19
Significance: This is the point where Estha and soon Rahel’s transition from childhood takes place. They no longer have their innocence as they finally accept the details of death and silence. He condemns Velutha, which Estha will remember for the rest of his life.
Response: Estha now understood his own advice stated in an earlier quote. He carried on his response to the inspector for the rest of his life.
“‘Ammu,’ Chacko said, his voice steady and deliberately casual, ‘is it at all possible for you to prevent your washed-up cynicism from completely coloring everything.’”
Where: Ch.2
Significance: The tension within this family is very clear in this quote. Their family is together but in actuality it is broken physically and emotionally. The origin of Chacko and Ammu’s relationship is shown here, which the narrator reflects on.
Response: After Chacko says this, the rest of the family remains silent as they are shocked and afraid to continue on the conversation. Rahel recognizes that her family is troubled, agreeing that they are “washed-up”.
“A cold moth with unusually dense dorsal tufts landed lightly on Rahel’s heart. Where its icy legs touched her, she got goosebumps. Six goosebumps on her careless heart. A little less her Ammu loved her.”
Where: Ch.4
Significance: Pappachi’s moth is a significant symbol as it is mentioned several types, especially by Rahel whenever there is a moment of sadness. Pappachi’s moth originally symbolizes the disappointment of life as Pappachi lost all credibility and his life was ruined by this “discovery”.
Response: Rahel felt this whenever she felt like Ammu did not love her, and that is how the rest of their relationship was like throughout the book. Ammu was described as a hurt mother.
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