Topics for Further Study
- Roy has extensively published political writings, engaged in activism, and faced imprisonment for her political beliefs. Investigate her political perspectives and activities, and delve into some of her political writings. How would you describe Roy’s stance on issues like globalization and terrorism? What impact has her activism had in India and globally?
- As an Indian novel written in English, The God of Small Things belongs to a literary tradition that dates back to the British Raj era. Explore how Roy’s novel connects to this tradition, which includes writers like R. K. Narayan and Salman Rushdie. In what ways does Roy’s work align with this tradition, and in what ways does it diverge? What innovations does Roy introduce to Indian literature in English, and why are these innovations significant? How does Roy’s novel engage with Indian politics, and how is this engagement similar to or different from the political themes in the novels of her predecessors?
- Some readers and critics have found certain elements of The God of Small Things to be offensive or controversial. Examine the nature of the backlash against the novel, particularly in India and Britain. Which aspects of the book were deemed controversial, and why? What were the consequences of this controversy? Reflect on your reactions to moments in the novel such as Estha being forced to masturbate the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man, Ammu and Velutha’s love scene, and the incestuous relationship between Rahel and Estha. Discuss how the themes of forbidden and taboo elements connect to the central themes of the novel.
- Communism has played a uniquely significant role in the state of Kerala, India. Investigate the activities of various factions of the Communist Party in Kerala. How did communism develop and spread in this region? What are the major ways in which communist ideology has influenced Kerala’s history? How does the history of the communist parties in Kerala relate to the broader history of communism in South Asia? Discuss the current state of communism in Kerala.
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