The God of Small Things: Chapters 15-21

[Satia]

This thread is for the final chapters of The God of Small Things including the truly beautiful final chapter (which I hope lives up to my fond memories upon rereading).

[Satia]

The notes for the last chapters. It is best not to read them until you've finished each chapter for obvious reasons.

(view spoiler)[


Chapter 15

The action of this chapter follows immediately upon that of the preceding one.
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Chapter 16

What pattern have events taken on at the end of this chapter?
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Chapter 17

Back to the "present." His trauma of that night seems to have extended a quarter century into the future.

ashram
Hindu spiritual center.

Diwali
The very popular fall Hindu festival of lights. Also known as "Deepavali." How does this scene affect your perception of her in relation to the Velutha-Ammu love affair?

in saffron
In saffron-yellow robes, traditionally worn by holy men.

sadhus
Hindu ascetics.

swamis
Senior members of a Hindu religious order.

What effect does it have in the novel to have the end of Velutha's story told indirectly, in retrospect, at the end of this chapter?
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Chapter 18
We now leave the retrospective narrative to plunge back into that fateful night.

civilization's fear of nature, men's fear of women, power's fear of powerlessness.
Relate these various fears to elements of the novel.

Madiyo?
Is it enough?

Madi aaririkkum
It may be enough.
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Chapter 19

F.I.R.
"First Information Report," the initial report of illegal activity at a local police station.

chhi-chhi
Expression of disgust used as a euphemism for excrement.

meeshas
Moustaches.

Childhood tiptoed out.
What does this mean?

How does Baby Kochamma manipulate Chacko into getting Ammu and the twins out of Ayamenem?
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Chapter 20

Why is Rahel concerned that there be "proper punishments" in the imaginary school Ammu is imagining?

After another fish, we return to the "present." Why do you think Roy has the twins "break the love laws" at the end of her novel?
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Chapter 21

There's no time to lose
One of the verses from "Ruby Tuesday" by the Rolling Stones. The song concerns parting from a loved one, but this particular stanza emphasizes the urgency of acting on love in the present.

Why do you think this pivotal love scene has been postponed to the end of the book?

It is no coincidence that Roy has placed two scenes of lovemaking (between Rahel and Estha and between Ammu and Velutha) in close proximity to each other at the end of the novel. What relationships do you see between these two scenes?

What does it mean that "they stuck to the Small Things"?

Chappu Thamburan
A spider.

Why is the last word of the novel "Tomorrow"?
What messages do you think Roy was trying to convey in writing this novel? (hide spoiler)]

[Satia]

Here's a link to Ruby Tuesday sung by the Rolling Stones.

http://youtu.be/eUKz2fvb6jY

[Serena]

Strangely I am pretty numb about (view spoiler)[ the sex between the twins, I know I should be disgusted, but I am not. Is it because Roy had repeated over and over again the twins are one, they are of each other, hence their sexual union seems normal? Or that Roy has crafted both characters to be pretty weird and off, hence that scene was not surprising? (hide spoiler)]

[Satia]

(view spoiler)[

I think it is remarkable that Roy manages to take what ought to be a shocking moment in the novel and makes it something, if not altogether expected, not really surprising.

It may also have to do with the theme throughout about how the Love Laws, the ones that determine who will be loved and how much, are a destructive force for the main characters.

The sex between Estha and Rahel is, in a way, a culmination of so much it seems almost natural in spite of their kinship. (hide spoiler)]

[Serena]

Agree.