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’?

Conclusion

Arundhati Roy, in ‘The God of Small Things’, demonstrates how societal values prevent individuals and societies from achieving prosperity, through the specific impacts of differing cultural values within Keralan society. The impacts of post-colonisation, rising communism and pollution allow Roy to symbolise how authorities can utilise cultural values to restrict the freedoms of members of society. Through Poyner’s insight into ‘environmental racism’, useful evidence to suggest the specific impact the rising tourism industry has on the lives of the Untouchable population could be understood. Roy further reveals the ability of the traditional Indian caste system to control love, preventing salvation for Velutha and Ammu. Ahmad provides insight into the politics of the novel, both demonstrating the importance of politics to the novel, while also validly questioning Roy’s ability to provide useful commentary on communism in Kerala. While Ahmad may have been too single-minded in his critique of Roy’s political messages, by considering Bose’s perspective, the true nature of Roy’s political agenda can be understood. Ultimately, these confines on societal values lead to the normalisation of death and trauma, preventing Estha and Rahel from achieving happiness. Outka’s analysis through Trauma Theory provides useful information into how the specific construction of trauma within the novel relates to the hybridisation of traditional and colonialist values. Overall, Roy warns readers of the ways cultural values can be used to restrict and control, demonstrating the need for societies to embrace values that support individuals in achieving freedom and love.

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