Critique of Untouchability in Indian Society: A View from the Margin in The God of Small Things

Abstract

The present dissertation demonstrates Arundhati Roys's critique of untouchability of Indian society through The God of Small Things. This study tries to examine the voice of Ammu and Velutha who are treated as the “small things” in the society. Ammu, being a touchable and a member of high class family in social status is victimized due to her relation with lower caste man and Velutha is beaten to death being a paravan (untouchable). Both low caste people and women are subalternized in the society by the so-called superior class. The idea of untouchability is explored at two levels in the novel. Firstly, we have social untouchables, or paravan, who are never allowed basic human rights. Secondly, we have metaphoric untouchables in high castes. Here discrimination expresses itself in marginalizing the women in their personal and public life.