The first part of the paper deals with the hierarchies in Indian society, especially problems in the family network, in the cast system and in the gender roles.
The second part applies this information to Roy's novel. Ammu's and Chacko's relationships to spouses and lovers, which show many parallels, are compared.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Social and Sexual Hierarchies
- 2.1 Family
- 2.2 Caste
- 2.3 Gender, Marriage and Sexuality
- 3 Analysis of Relationships
- 3.1 Ammu's and Chacko's Marriages
- 3.2 Chacko, Margaret Kochamma and Mammachi
- 3.3 Male and Female Sexuality
- 3.4 Ammu and Velutha
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 Works Cited
- 5.1 Primary Literature
- 5.2 Secondary Literature
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the interplay between personal relationships and social hierarchies in Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, focusing on how the transgression of social and sexual boundaries within a Syrian Christian family in Kerala impacts its members. The study examines the diverse portrayals of relationships and societal judgments, highlighting the influence of patriarchal and caste systems.
- The impact of social hierarchies (caste and family structures) on personal relationships.
- The portrayal of gender roles and expectations in Indian society.
- The consequences of transgressing social and sexual boundaries.
- The varying judgments of Indian society and its modes of oppression.
- The relationship between personal experiences and societal structures.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis, establishing the central theme of the interplay between private relationships and social hierarchies within the context of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. It highlights the novel's setting in Kerala and the significant consequences of crossing social and sexual boundaries within the Syrian Christian family. The chapter emphasizes the diverse impacts of these transgressions on individual family members and others, framing the subsequent analysis of the various relationships presented in the novel and the societal perspectives surrounding them. The focus will be placed on Ammu and Chacko's relationships with their spouses and lovers, examining both the social and personal dimensions of these relationships and their circumstances. The introduction foreshadows the revealing parallels between these relationships and their implications for understanding the varying judgments of Indian society and its oppressive mechanisms stemming from patriarchal and caste systems. It lays the groundwork for the subsequent exploration of the prevailing hierarchies in Indian society, focusing on family, caste systems, and gender relations, providing a foundation for the detailed analysis of male-female relationships in the novel.
2 Social and Sexual Hierarchies: This chapter establishes the social context of the novel by outlining the various hierarchical systems operating in Indian society. It emphasizes that social status significantly influences relationships, emphasizing the deeply ingrained nature of this hierarchical system, particularly within family networks, the caste system, and gender dynamics. Section 2.1 details the hierarchical structure of the extended Indian family and its impact on children's upbringing and perceptions of societal order. The emphasis on family care, integrity, and the valuing of these concepts over individuality is discussed. Section 2.2 explains the complex Indian caste system, comprising both varna and jati, and its role in structuring social groups and interactions. It illustrates how caste membership determines social position and limits interactions with other castes due to ingrained rules and values. The chapter highlights the concept of "cleanliness" and its correlation with social status, particularly affecting the "untouchables." Finally, Section 2.3 examines the patriarchal nature of Indian society, showcasing the discrimination against women from birth onward and the societal expectations around marriage and motherhood. The limitations placed on female sexuality and the societal implications of transgressions are analyzed.
Keywords
Social hierarchies, caste system, gender roles, sexuality, family structures, patriarchy, transgression, Indian society, Kerala, Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things, male-female relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions: Arundhati Roy's *The God of Small Things* - A Literary Analysis
What is the main focus of this literary analysis?
This analysis examines the interplay between personal relationships and social hierarchies in Arundhati Roy's *The God of Small Things*. It explores how the transgression of social and sexual boundaries within a Syrian Christian family in Kerala impacts its members, focusing on the diverse portrayals of relationships and societal judgments within the context of patriarchal and caste systems.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of social hierarchies (caste and family structures) on personal relationships; the portrayal of gender roles and expectations in Indian society; the consequences of transgressing social and sexual boundaries; the varying judgments of Indian society and its modes of oppression; and the relationship between personal experiences and societal structures.
What topics are covered in the different chapters?
The analysis is structured as follows: An introduction setting the scene and outlining the central theme; a chapter detailing the social and sexual hierarchies in Indian society (including family structures, the caste system, and gender dynamics); a chapter analyzing specific relationships within the novel (Ammu and Chacko's marriages, Chacko, Margaret Kochamma and Mammachi's relationships, male and female sexuality, and Ammu and Velutha's relationship); a conclusion; and a list of works cited.
How are social hierarchies presented in the novel and analysis?
The analysis details how social status significantly influences relationships in the novel. It explores the hierarchical structure of the extended Indian family, the complex caste system (varna and jati), and the patriarchal nature of Indian society, showing how these systems shape interactions and limit individuals based on their social standing.
What specific relationships are analyzed in detail?
The analysis delves into the relationships of Ammu and Chacko with their spouses and lovers, examining both the social and personal dimensions and their consequences. It also analyzes the relationship between Ammu and Velutha in the context of social and sexual boundaries.
What is the significance of the setting (Kerala) and the family's religious background (Syrian Christian)?
The setting of Kerala and the family's Syrian Christian background provide a specific socio-cultural context for understanding the interplay between personal relationships and social hierarchies. These factors influence the dynamics and consequences of transgressions.
What are the key takeaways of this analysis?
The analysis aims to reveal how personal relationships are shaped and constrained by the prevailing social hierarchies in Indian society, highlighting the complexities of individual experiences within a rigid social structure and the consequences of challenging established norms.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Social hierarchies, caste system, gender roles, sexuality, family structures, patriarchy, transgression, Indian society, Kerala, Arundhati Roy, *The God of Small Things*, male-female relationships.
- Citation du texte
- Eleni Stefanidou (Auteur), 2007, Social and sexual hierarchies: Male-female relationships in Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/72951
