2022 IB Diploma Extended Essays

How does Arundhati Roy explore the impacts of cultural values on the lives of individuals in ‘The God of Small Things’? of literature, through exploring colonialism from an Indian perspective, rather than a British perspective. Additionally, Trauma Theory provided insight into the construction of trauma within the novel, and how this impacts the reader. ‘The God of Small Things’ is important to analyse, as Roy provides numerous insights into the ways people are affected by the major social and political issues in Keralan society during 1969. I chose to focus my research question on cultural values, as although Roy discusses many socio-political issues in her novel, her discussion of these issues arises primarily from an analysis of cultural values. My research question focuses specifically on the lives of individuals, as while, for example, the structure of the novel is interesting, and provides insight into Roy’s intention, the real value of the novel to society as a whole is how Roy utilises characterisation to create empathy for tragic characters, allowing for specific, individual struggles within society to be illuminated.

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