One theme in ‘The God of Small Things’ is that of cultural relations and tensions. Examples of the interactions with the characters and their behavior help develop these issues. One evident cultural tension is that of the history relations of former colonizers and former subjects. India, in particular, has had a long history with its former colonial master, Britain. The relationship as seen behind left some considerable cultural conflict and tension. We can examine the effect of such a relationship and the aftermath of the reactions of the people involved. To understand the social, cultural dynamism of South Asia, therefore, calls for a historical as well as sociological examination.
Ammu is in conflict with her father for the alleged blind devotion of his father to the British. By calling him ‘shit wiper,' there is a clear internalized bitterness in the natives’ historical position under British (Tickell 23). She represents the younger generation who are trying to create a new independent identity. The irony is that as much as the younger generation hates being inferior to the former masters, the need for a prestigious affiliation remains. Chacko tells his sisters twins that they are of Anglophone origin. By equating the twins to lovers of British culture, Chako shows this cultural ambiguity and confusion. He is Oxford school but is of Indian descent.
The convergence of this conflict is a desire to survive the vicious social ladder race. With institutions of the caste systems, social codes and internalized cultures, the South Asian people end up being socially ambitious. One such ambitious spirit is seen in Vellya Paapen’s willingness to kill his son for class recognition (Tickell 31). History and social-cultural dimensions significantly shape the South Asian (Indian) society. We can use these insights from the relations and characterization of these characters for an interpretive social insight on South Asian society.
Works Cited
Tickell, Alex. Arundhati Roy's The God Of Small Things. London: Routledge, 2007. Print.
