Abstract
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things, published in 1997, explores the devastating consequences of caste discrimination, patriarchal authority, social inequality, and family oppression in postcolonial Kerala. Through the tragic experiences of Ammu, Velutha, Rahel, and Estha, Roy examines how social conventions regulate personal relationships and determine the lives of individuals who challenge established hierarchies. The forbidden relationship between Ammu, a Syrian Christian woman, and Velutha, a Paravan man, exposes the brutality of caste prejudice and the unequal distribution of power within society. The novel also portrays the emotional suffering of children whose innocence is destroyed by adult conflicts, institutional violence, and family secrets. Roy’s representation of women further reveals how gender expectations restrict individual freedom and reinforce patriarchal control. Through fragmented chronology, shifting perspectives, symbolic imagery, and innovative language, the novelist connects personal tragedy with broader historical and political realities. This study examines the interconnected themes of caste, gender, childhood trauma, forbidden love, and social injustice, with particular attention to the relationship between individual experiences and oppressive social structures. It also analyses how Roy’s narrative techniques challenge conventional storytelling and give significance to neglected experiences. The study argues that the tragedy of the central characters arises not merely from individual mistakes but from a society that protects established hierarchies at the expense of human dignity. The God of Small Things remains a powerful literary examination of how prejudice, silence, and unequal power destroy relationships and shape individual lives.