From the beginning of the story pretty much, I knew that Ammu and Velutha were going to have an affair. I was waiting for it and waiting. It finally said that they did, but never really discussed it. Well, that is the entire last chapter. The last chapter is about their first night together. It was unplanned, but they followed their instincts, which lead them to each other. The way it was written did not make it sound dirty or racy but very special. I like that the novel ended this way because it was the main topic that I had wondered about the entire time. The last word was 'Tomorrow.' I also liked this. It means that they would meet again tomorrow. It just made it seem like the story wasn't over even though it was.
In the last chapter, it also explains the title. Throughout the novel, they mentioned different gods. In the last chapter, the explained the God of Small Things. Ammu and Velutha's relationship was that of small things. They could not be together in public, let anyone know, or even explore the possibility of marriage or long-term commitment. They concentrated on the glances, the touches, and the feelings. To me these things are not small, but to them they were and that is all they really needed to be happy. I liked that the title was explained and had some real connection to the story.
Overall, this was a very good novel. It was a pretty fast read, but if you take your time, you are sure to get a lot out of it. Some of it was hard to follow, but I was able to figure it out. I didn't really like how sad it was but even the sad ones are good sometimes.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Ch. 19&20
Baby is at the police station because the children were brought there. The policeman she had previously talked to was not as nice as before. They had talked to the children, and they said that they went to the house voluntarily. So the policeman has a few options. He can ask the children if Velutha abducted them, get a complaint from the rape victim (Baby had said that Velutha attempted to rape Ammu), or he can get Baby for a false report. I thought that Baby was horrible before but what she does next is the absolute worst. She threatens the children and plays mind games with them. I just can't believe she did this. Baby would rather let an innocent man die than tell the truth. Maybe in her eyes what he did was wrong, but that is still no excuse to let him die. She could even be taking out her frustration with love on Ammu and Velutha. i think she is selfish and just horrible.
Baby makes them think that they murdered Sophie and will go to jail, but she does give them a way out. She says that the officer will ask one question and all they have to do is answer yes. She says that Velutha will probably not make it through the night anyway. She asks them if they want to go to jail and if they want their mother to go. They end up saying yes, but it isn't even both of the kids. The officer only needs one, and Baby sends Estha. I think that this is probably what really made him change. Once he was older and fully understood the extent of what he had done, it was probably to much to deal with so he stopped dealing.
Velutha ends up dieing, and Baby thinks that she has gotten away with it. Then Ammu goes to the station and tells. She exploits her affair with Velutha. That is why she must leave and not take her children. Even though what she did was wrong, it was only wrong because of the Indian society. I am proud of Ammu for telling the truth. At least something truthful came out of the horrible situation. I am sad that Velutha died. He was honestly one of my favorite characters. He worked his way up and turned out to lead a pretty successful life. Velutha fought for what he believed was right which is a very good character trait. Rahel and Estha loved him because he played with them and loved them like his own. I wish that he could have gotten a chance to really live the life that he deserved.
Next, it tells of Estha's last few moments with his mother at the train station. It is sad because none of them knew it was there last time all together.
Baby makes them think that they murdered Sophie and will go to jail, but she does give them a way out. She says that the officer will ask one question and all they have to do is answer yes. She says that Velutha will probably not make it through the night anyway. She asks them if they want to go to jail and if they want their mother to go. They end up saying yes, but it isn't even both of the kids. The officer only needs one, and Baby sends Estha. I think that this is probably what really made him change. Once he was older and fully understood the extent of what he had done, it was probably to much to deal with so he stopped dealing.
Velutha ends up dieing, and Baby thinks that she has gotten away with it. Then Ammu goes to the station and tells. She exploits her affair with Velutha. That is why she must leave and not take her children. Even though what she did was wrong, it was only wrong because of the Indian society. I am proud of Ammu for telling the truth. At least something truthful came out of the horrible situation. I am sad that Velutha died. He was honestly one of my favorite characters. He worked his way up and turned out to lead a pretty successful life. Velutha fought for what he believed was right which is a very good character trait. Rahel and Estha loved him because he played with them and loved them like his own. I wish that he could have gotten a chance to really live the life that he deserved.
Next, it tells of Estha's last few moments with his mother at the train station. It is sad because none of them knew it was there last time all together.
Ch. 17&18
It is present and Rahel and Estha are sleeping in his room together. Estha is watching Rahel sleep, which reminds him of his mother and the last time that he saw her. I think it is very sad that he didn't know when his mother actually died. It just kind of hit me now as I was writing this. That would be absolutely horrible to think that someone is alive for two weeks when they have actually been dead for that long. I think that this is something else that affected his not speaking. I still think that there is more to that, but I think that this plays a part.
Now it is a while after Sophie's death. The author is telling about what the newspapers reported of the death. It said that Velutha had kidnapped the children, which is not true. I don't know why or what really happened, but the book said that this was not true.
It is right after Sophie died. The policeman are going to the History House because they think that the children and Velutha are there. When they get there, they find Rahel, Estha, and Velutha asleep. It also says that the children didn't even know that Velutha was there until the next thing happened. The police started to beat him mercilessly. They cracked skull, hit him in the stomach, spine, and anywhere that they could. They did this all in front of the children. That was really stupid of the policeman. Why couldn't they have taken the children out of the room? To make them watch that is just so horrible. No one, no matter the age, wants or needs to see that. The children are impressionable young minds. This is just one more thing to negatively affect their adult lives. And even after the police beat Velutha almost to death, they still cuffed him. I don't even think he could walk. There was absolutely no need to do that.
When the police finally got everyone out, they noticed that the room seemed to have a lot of toys and the essence of someone being there very often. They got rid of half of this stuff because they knew that they screwed up. They had thought Velutha kidnapped the children and maybe did something even worse to them, but when they saw all the stuff, they realized that they were wrong. Now they had to cover up their mistake. I wish that people would just take responsibility for their actions.
This part made me angry at the policemen and pretty much everyone in the book. It is just everyone's fault. It is Baby's fault for lieing to the police. It is Velutha and Ammu's fault for having an affair. It is Margaret's fault for bringing her child where they didn't need to be. It is Chacko's fault for needing them so much. It is Mammachi's fault for helping Velutha so much when he was a child. I think that everyone should take the blame for what happened to Sophie. I get now why they kept portraying Sophie as such a little angel. She is the only good person in this novel. She is the only one who didn't ruin another person's life.
Now it is a while after Sophie's death. The author is telling about what the newspapers reported of the death. It said that Velutha had kidnapped the children, which is not true. I don't know why or what really happened, but the book said that this was not true.
It is right after Sophie died. The policeman are going to the History House because they think that the children and Velutha are there. When they get there, they find Rahel, Estha, and Velutha asleep. It also says that the children didn't even know that Velutha was there until the next thing happened. The police started to beat him mercilessly. They cracked skull, hit him in the stomach, spine, and anywhere that they could. They did this all in front of the children. That was really stupid of the policeman. Why couldn't they have taken the children out of the room? To make them watch that is just so horrible. No one, no matter the age, wants or needs to see that. The children are impressionable young minds. This is just one more thing to negatively affect their adult lives. And even after the police beat Velutha almost to death, they still cuffed him. I don't even think he could walk. There was absolutely no need to do that.
When the police finally got everyone out, they noticed that the room seemed to have a lot of toys and the essence of someone being there very often. They got rid of half of this stuff because they knew that they screwed up. They had thought Velutha kidnapped the children and maybe did something even worse to them, but when they saw all the stuff, they realized that they were wrong. Now they had to cover up their mistake. I wish that people would just take responsibility for their actions.
This part made me angry at the policemen and pretty much everyone in the book. It is just everyone's fault. It is Baby's fault for lieing to the police. It is Velutha and Ammu's fault for having an affair. It is Margaret's fault for bringing her child where they didn't need to be. It is Chacko's fault for needing them so much. It is Mammachi's fault for helping Velutha so much when he was a child. I think that everyone should take the blame for what happened to Sophie. I get now why they kept portraying Sophie as such a little angel. She is the only good person in this novel. She is the only one who didn't ruin another person's life.
Ch. 15&16
This section ended up being only about 6 pages so not much happened. The first part was a man swimming across a river. The name was not mentioned, but his red nail polish was, which means that it was Velutha. I don't really know why this was happening. It seemed kind of random, but it will probably have significance later. I knew that the red nails meant something. I think they are symbolic of him being blatantly identified as an untouchable. It shows how obvious it is and that they are defining him. People used what they know about untouchables to define them without really getting to know them because they think they are better. This is just like the nails. He is labeled with something that people would find weird on a man and without knowing why they judge him just on that simple shallow fact.
Next, it is night and the children are crossing the river. I don't know if it was the same night as Velutha or not. They were going to the History House, which is an abandoned old home that is said to be haunted. They have done this many times before. All three of the children are their Rahel, Estha, and Sophie. I knew when I read this that it was finally going to happen. It was the event of the book that I had been anticipating, but I was kind of let down by the outcome. Since it was dark, the children couldn't see where they were rowing so they hit a log capsizing the boat. Rahel and Estha swam to shore, but when the got there, they realized that Sophie was not with them. They didn't try to look for her. I guess that they just left. I thought this was weird. First of all, I was expecting a storm or something a little more dangerous than just hitting a log. Second, why didn't the other children try to find her? I mean I know that they were young, but they didn't even stay and scream her name for a while or anything. They said it two or three times, and I guess they just left. They had to have cared, but it was just so odd that they didn't try to find her. They could have even tried to find help, but they didn't. I don't think that it was because they didn't want to get in trouble. If it was that is absolutely horrible. Maybe there was no place to go for help, but then again Velutha lives across the river. I don't know. I hope they aren't that selfish.
As far as the writing of this novel, I said before that it was interesting, but it is getting harder to understand. They time periods switch so often that it is hard to keep track of when things happen. At first I thought that it made you pay attention more, but now I think that it is just distracting from the storyline because I am always figuring out when things happen.
Next, it is night and the children are crossing the river. I don't know if it was the same night as Velutha or not. They were going to the History House, which is an abandoned old home that is said to be haunted. They have done this many times before. All three of the children are their Rahel, Estha, and Sophie. I knew when I read this that it was finally going to happen. It was the event of the book that I had been anticipating, but I was kind of let down by the outcome. Since it was dark, the children couldn't see where they were rowing so they hit a log capsizing the boat. Rahel and Estha swam to shore, but when the got there, they realized that Sophie was not with them. They didn't try to look for her. I guess that they just left. I thought this was weird. First of all, I was expecting a storm or something a little more dangerous than just hitting a log. Second, why didn't the other children try to find her? I mean I know that they were young, but they didn't even stay and scream her name for a while or anything. They said it two or three times, and I guess they just left. They had to have cared, but it was just so odd that they didn't try to find her. They could have even tried to find help, but they didn't. I don't think that it was because they didn't want to get in trouble. If it was that is absolutely horrible. Maybe there was no place to go for help, but then again Velutha lives across the river. I don't know. I hope they aren't that selfish.
As far as the writing of this novel, I said before that it was interesting, but it is getting harder to understand. They time periods switch so often that it is hard to keep track of when things happen. At first I thought that it made you pay attention more, but now I think that it is just distracting from the storyline because I am always figuring out when things happen.
Ch. 13&14
This section starts out by telling the story of how Margaret and Chacko met. I loved the way that the author wrote this section, and I am glad that she put it in the novel. It was such a cute story. It said that they were never really in love, but the way that it was written made it sound like love. It also mentions how Margaret came to Ayemenem with Sophie. She says that it was the biggest regret of her life. I can understand that because we know that Sophie will die, but I still think that it is weird that she went there in the first place. She left the man, caused him pain, and is pretty much hated by his family. The story says that she didn't know how much she hurt him, but I don't understand that either. I think that any way you look at it divorcing someone will hurt on both ends no matter the situation. I know that they remained friends, but it still just seems odd to me.
Then the story went back to the time when something bad is going to happen. Ammu is locked in her room and the children have disappeared. It then jumps to after Sophie dies without telling how it happened. This is really starting to get frustrating. I wish that the story would stop being so drawn out. Besides that apparently when this happened, Ammu said some very nasty things to Rahel and Estha. She told them that it was their fault, and she just wanted them to leave her alone. I know that she was upset but a parent should never say that to a child no matter the circumstances.
Next, they go back to the time before Sophie died. Velutha's father told Mammachi and Baby about the affair. Mammachi didn't believe him at first and was in shock. Baby went straight into damage control. She went to the police and made up a story about the children being kidnapped and Velutha attempting to rape Ammu. I think that this shows a lot about Baby's character. The reason she did this was not to help Ammu but keep the family name. She cares more about appearance and material things than her own family.
I am not sure when the next thing actually occurred, but it was definitely before Sophie's death. Chacko is talking with the Comrade Pillai about his Paradise Pickles & Preserves company. The subject of Velutha comes up. Pillai says that Chacko should fire him. He says that Velutha has been at rallies and other workers are upset that he has a better job than they have because he is an untouchable. I thought that maybe Pillai knew about the affair when he said this. I found out my assumption was true a few pages later.
Then the story went back to the time when something bad is going to happen. Ammu is locked in her room and the children have disappeared. It then jumps to after Sophie dies without telling how it happened. This is really starting to get frustrating. I wish that the story would stop being so drawn out. Besides that apparently when this happened, Ammu said some very nasty things to Rahel and Estha. She told them that it was their fault, and she just wanted them to leave her alone. I know that she was upset but a parent should never say that to a child no matter the circumstances.
Next, they go back to the time before Sophie died. Velutha's father told Mammachi and Baby about the affair. Mammachi didn't believe him at first and was in shock. Baby went straight into damage control. She went to the police and made up a story about the children being kidnapped and Velutha attempting to rape Ammu. I think that this shows a lot about Baby's character. The reason she did this was not to help Ammu but keep the family name. She cares more about appearance and material things than her own family.
I am not sure when the next thing actually occurred, but it was definitely before Sophie's death. Chacko is talking with the Comrade Pillai about his Paradise Pickles & Preserves company. The subject of Velutha comes up. Pillai says that Chacko should fire him. He says that Velutha has been at rallies and other workers are upset that he has a better job than they have because he is an untouchable. I thought that maybe Pillai knew about the affair when he said this. I found out my assumption was true a few pages later.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ch. 11&12
The children return to find their mother still asleep. They slowly and cautiously wake her up. Her dream is described. It is about a man and her. The man is never named, but it is obviously supposed to be Velutha. In the dream when she touches him, his skin turns into chicken skin. This shows how bad it would be if they did get together. It shows that something horrible could happen. The author also mentions that Mammaci says that there is craziness in the family. Ammu kind of thinks that she is going crazy. She would have to be crazy to even be thinking about Velutha in that way. It is just so against the Indian society. They could both be severely published I think.
The next part shows a little more of the Indian culture. Rahel and Estha both attend a kathakali performance. It is a more traditional part of the Indian society. It is a play with only men telling stories of the Gods. The story that was told was about a mother that only revealed herself to one of her sons because he was a great warrior, and he was going to fight many of her other sons. The son is left with a decision. He must either go against his recently known mother or agree to her wishes. He decides to meet in the middle. He says that he will not kill four of her sons, but he will make no promises about the other one. I thought that this might parallel to the story somehow, but I am not sure. Maybe Estha is going to have to make an important decision such as this. I just think that since they went so in depth with this story that it must have some significance. I liked how this section showed more of the older culture in India. Up to this point it has all been pretty much present day stuff not much about tradition or cultural things.
They also keep mentioning the Heart of Darkness. I think that this a place. Maybe religious. I am not sure. This makes me think of cultural literacy in English. Joesph Conrad wrote a novel called Heart of Darkness. I wonder if the two relate or if it is just a conincidence.
I really wish that the author would just get to main section. I mean I guess that the novel is doing what it was meant to do, which is make me want to find out. The last few chapters have just been about very small sections of time, and I just wish that I knew what had happened already.
The next part shows a little more of the Indian culture. Rahel and Estha both attend a kathakali performance. It is a more traditional part of the Indian society. It is a play with only men telling stories of the Gods. The story that was told was about a mother that only revealed herself to one of her sons because he was a great warrior, and he was going to fight many of her other sons. The son is left with a decision. He must either go against his recently known mother or agree to her wishes. He decides to meet in the middle. He says that he will not kill four of her sons, but he will make no promises about the other one. I thought that this might parallel to the story somehow, but I am not sure. Maybe Estha is going to have to make an important decision such as this. I just think that since they went so in depth with this story that it must have some significance. I liked how this section showed more of the older culture in India. Up to this point it has all been pretty much present day stuff not much about tradition or cultural things.
They also keep mentioning the Heart of Darkness. I think that this a place. Maybe religious. I am not sure. This makes me think of cultural literacy in English. Joesph Conrad wrote a novel called Heart of Darkness. I wonder if the two relate or if it is just a conincidence.
I really wish that the author would just get to main section. I mean I guess that the novel is doing what it was meant to do, which is make me want to find out. The last few chapters have just been about very small sections of time, and I just wish that I knew what had happened already.
Ch. 9&10
Rahel and Estha finally invited Sophie Mol to meet Velutha. She had been sitting a the garden herself and when they asked what was wrong she said that she was lonely. They just played a make-believe game. During the game they painted Velutha's nails red. I think this is symbolic because he is was at a rally for his political group whose color is red. Rahel also referred to him as a victim. I think that this will foreshadow his death somehow. Maybe he will die in at rally for his cause. The playtime just ends with the same phrase that has been said numerous signs throughout the book. The phrase is "it's true things can change in a day." This is very true. This story is leading up to something very big.
Next, Rahel and Estha leave their afternoon nap to go and explore. They find an abandoned boat. Across the river is where Velutha lives, so they decide to go over there. Only his paralyzed brother is home. There is a comment made that he is lying in the 'death' corner where he and Velutha's mother had died. It says that he thinks he is the next in the family to die, but he is wrong. This is referring to Velutha obviously. They have been hinting so much that I just want to know what is going to happen. Also, Velutha's brother talks about the river. He says that it seems to be very calm, but it is misleading. He said that they should be careful when they are going to go out on it. This made me remember something from the very beginning of the story at Sophie Mol's funeral, Rahel said that she was wrinkley from being in the water to long. Maybe they all go out on the river and something bad happens.
Velutha finds the children at his house. The sight of them makes him think of their mother Ammu. He says things to himself to try to make himself hate her. He wants to because she is touchable, but he just doesn't. I am starting to wonder if the two of them already had an affair, and they are both trying to get over the idea of being together because they know that it is impossible. Velutha is going to help the children fix up the boat because there are some holes in it. They leave very quickly so that their mother doesn't know that they left.
Next, Rahel and Estha leave their afternoon nap to go and explore. They find an abandoned boat. Across the river is where Velutha lives, so they decide to go over there. Only his paralyzed brother is home. There is a comment made that he is lying in the 'death' corner where he and Velutha's mother had died. It says that he thinks he is the next in the family to die, but he is wrong. This is referring to Velutha obviously. They have been hinting so much that I just want to know what is going to happen. Also, Velutha's brother talks about the river. He says that it seems to be very calm, but it is misleading. He said that they should be careful when they are going to go out on it. This made me remember something from the very beginning of the story at Sophie Mol's funeral, Rahel said that she was wrinkley from being in the water to long. Maybe they all go out on the river and something bad happens.
Velutha finds the children at his house. The sight of them makes him think of their mother Ammu. He says things to himself to try to make himself hate her. He wants to because she is touchable, but he just doesn't. I am starting to wonder if the two of them already had an affair, and they are both trying to get over the idea of being together because they know that it is impossible. Velutha is going to help the children fix up the boat because there are some holes in it. They leave very quickly so that their mother doesn't know that they left.
Ch. 7&8
Starting in the present, Rahel is searching though Ammu's old room. She finds some things that she and Estha had hidden when they were younger. Estha is still not talking he is in the room with her, but he will not speak. I really want to know what happened to him. I know that it had to be something worse than what was already discussed, so I am very curious. A book of essays written by Estha triggers the memory of Ammu's funeral for Rahel. When she died Estha was with his father. Rahel had seen her right before this. She had been drunk and looked very different. A few weeks later she died in a hotel room. It mentioned that she had been sick for a while. Something was wrong with her lungs. I think it is possible that Ammu had been working as a prostitute. It mentioned a dream that she had where her hair was getting cut off. This is what they did to prostitutes to distinguish them from other people. I kind of think that she was working as a prostitute because she had been away, and she was not as pretty and well kept as normal. I think that doing that would lower your self-esteem so much that you just wouldn't care. Also, it said that she was not allowed to be buried with other people for many reasons, but they didn't say what the reasons were. She wanted her and her children to have a better life, but she couldn't make it happen.
In the past Sophie Mol is at the Ayemenem house. The author says how Mammachi hated her. I think that she has every right to. This woman Margaret left Chacko for another man and is now visiting and expecting to be treated very well. I think that any mother would hate someone that has truly hurt their child.
Velutha was playing with Rahel in the backyard when they got home. Ammu watched them and said that she was jealous, but she didn't care to think about who she was jealous of. I think to was Rahel being able to play with and touch Velutha. I still think that they are going to have as affair. This only made my ideas stronger. Rahel wouldn't let Velutha meet Sophie Mol. She thinks that he will like her more so she makes up an excuse. This is another example of Rahel's insecurities. They probably start with her father leaving. I think that everything just went downhill from there.
I also noticed that the author repeats herself a lot. The book is almost like a poem. There is so much imagery and repetition. For example they always say "a viable die-able age." This is just one example.
In the past Sophie Mol is at the Ayemenem house. The author says how Mammachi hated her. I think that she has every right to. This woman Margaret left Chacko for another man and is now visiting and expecting to be treated very well. I think that any mother would hate someone that has truly hurt their child.
Velutha was playing with Rahel in the backyard when they got home. Ammu watched them and said that she was jealous, but she didn't care to think about who she was jealous of. I think to was Rahel being able to play with and touch Velutha. I still think that they are going to have as affair. This only made my ideas stronger. Rahel wouldn't let Velutha meet Sophie Mol. She thinks that he will like her more so she makes up an excuse. This is another example of Rahel's insecurities. They probably start with her father leaving. I think that everything just went downhill from there.
I also noticed that the author repeats herself a lot. The book is almost like a poem. There is so much imagery and repetition. For example they always say "a viable die-able age." This is just one example.
Ch. 5&6
Chapter 5 goes back to the present. They discuss how the town and river become kind of run down and gross. I think that this represents the family's decline. It also mentions a scandal referring to sex and death. They have not yet revealed what it is though. The way that the author is telling the story is quite interesting. They are working slowly to tell the main event while in the present giving clues to the past. I think that is an interesting way to write. It causes the reader to really comcentrate because they have to determine when the author is talking in the present or in the past.
Now in the past. Sophie Mol arrives at the airport. Rahel and Estha are impolite to her and Ammu scolds them. Chacko is so excited to see his little girl, but when she and his ex-wife arrive, he keeps referring to her as his wife. It mentions the look on her face when she says this, but she doesn't correct him. I would also feel very awkward if this happened to me. I don't even think that I could go and stay with the man that I left, but I guess that it is really for the sake of the daughter. This does show how much the mother loves her.
The main event must take place when Sophie Mol is there. She seems to be a very good little girl. Rahel even asked Chacko earlier in the novel if her mother could love Sophie Mol more than her. She seems to have issues with that. I think that she acts out because she wants to make that she gets the attention she deserves. This is not the way to go about this, and I think that she will end up hurting people and herself if she keeps it up.
Now in the past. Sophie Mol arrives at the airport. Rahel and Estha are impolite to her and Ammu scolds them. Chacko is so excited to see his little girl, but when she and his ex-wife arrive, he keeps referring to her as his wife. It mentions the look on her face when she says this, but she doesn't correct him. I would also feel very awkward if this happened to me. I don't even think that I could go and stay with the man that I left, but I guess that it is really for the sake of the daughter. This does show how much the mother loves her.
The main event must take place when Sophie Mol is there. She seems to be a very good little girl. Rahel even asked Chacko earlier in the novel if her mother could love Sophie Mol more than her. She seems to have issues with that. I think that she acts out because she wants to make that she gets the attention she deserves. This is not the way to go about this, and I think that she will end up hurting people and herself if she keeps it up.
Ch. 3&4
In chapter three, it is present time. Rahel walks in on her brother changing and just watches him, which was completely weird. They are twins and have grown up together, but still they are adults now. She did not find it weird, and we don't know how he felt about it because he didn't know that she was there.
Then it goes back to the movie The Sound of Music. Something very awkward and creepy happens to Estha. Right before they are talking about how he has just done his first grown-up thing and then this happens. I would really rather not say what it was, but I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was happening as I read it. I understand know why as an adult he doesn't speak, but I think that this was only the beginning of his horrible childhood. It kept saying that the man that did this to him knew where he lived. I think that he is going to go there and something even worse will happen.
Still in the past, Sophie Mol is coming to visit. She is Chacko's daughter. Her mother is also coming. She left Chacko for another man named Joe. This man recently died, and they needed to get away from their home in England.
This novel is very sad so far. Horrible things keep happening to this family. It is like they have no power to stop anything.
Then it goes back to the movie The Sound of Music. Something very awkward and creepy happens to Estha. Right before they are talking about how he has just done his first grown-up thing and then this happens. I would really rather not say what it was, but I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was happening as I read it. I understand know why as an adult he doesn't speak, but I think that this was only the beginning of his horrible childhood. It kept saying that the man that did this to him knew where he lived. I think that he is going to go there and something even worse will happen.
Still in the past, Sophie Mol is coming to visit. She is Chacko's daughter. Her mother is also coming. She left Chacko for another man named Joe. This man recently died, and they needed to get away from their home in England.
This novel is very sad so far. Horrible things keep happening to this family. It is like they have no power to stop anything.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The God of Small Things Ch. 1&2
The story takes place in Kerala, which is in the southernmost part of India. This book was written by slowly giving information to the reader, but making them wait for the whole story. It starts out by talking about Sophie Mol's funeral. She is a cousin of the central family in the story. By starting the book this way, it is obvious that it will be a sad story. There are many characters in this story. So far, it has give a small amount of information refering to each character. Ammu is probably the main character. She has twins a boy Estha and a girl Rahel. She is divorced from her alcoholic husband. Ammu's brother is Chacko. He is a fat man who feels that woman are not really worth anything. These two call their parents Mammachi and Pappachi. I don't think that there are any other siblings, but I am not sure. There is also Baby Kochamma. I think that she is a sister of one of the parents. Background information was also given about her. She was one a nun, but then her father got her out of it. She went to school in America and got fat. Then she went back to India when something bad happened.
Mammachi and Pappachi owned a company called Paradise Pickles and Preserves, which was not called this until Chacko took over. Their have already been beatings and horrible treatments of women in this novel. I think it is a trend in most eastern hemisphere cultures. Chacko stopped it from happening to his mother, but he is not much better.
There was a section about when Ammu, Chacko, Baby, Rahel and Estha were going to see The Sound of Music. On the way there, a man was sitting on a sign of some sort naked. I think it said he didn't have any arms. This was very odd to me. It just didn't seem to flow with how the book had started. I think that this was used to show the differences in Indian society because while one family is going to a movie other people are on the streets like this. There is a lot about communism and marxism, which are pretty much the same. They even had a section about Chacko forcing people to refer to him as 'comrade' like we did in class.
I like Ammu. She is sarcastic and slightly a feminist. She wants better rights for women, which could make her a feminist, but what woman doesn't want that? Velutha is also introduced with more information. It said earlier something about him being in jail and Ammu killing him, but I don't think that it meant literally. He is an untouchable. The central family is known as touchables. Velutha works as a carpenter. He disappeared for a while and is now back. His father thinks that he is doing something bad. I think that he is having an affair with Ammu.
The way that this is written is very strange. The sentences are sometimes fragments, and the capitalization is very strange. Also, the novel jumps around time periods. It does give a lot of background information, which I think will be helpful later.
So far, I like the book, but I am not sure that I have gotten to the main storyline yet. I think that so far I have just had background information, and I am excited see what will happen next.
Mammachi and Pappachi owned a company called Paradise Pickles and Preserves, which was not called this until Chacko took over. Their have already been beatings and horrible treatments of women in this novel. I think it is a trend in most eastern hemisphere cultures. Chacko stopped it from happening to his mother, but he is not much better.
There was a section about when Ammu, Chacko, Baby, Rahel and Estha were going to see The Sound of Music. On the way there, a man was sitting on a sign of some sort naked. I think it said he didn't have any arms. This was very odd to me. It just didn't seem to flow with how the book had started. I think that this was used to show the differences in Indian society because while one family is going to a movie other people are on the streets like this. There is a lot about communism and marxism, which are pretty much the same. They even had a section about Chacko forcing people to refer to him as 'comrade' like we did in class.
I like Ammu. She is sarcastic and slightly a feminist. She wants better rights for women, which could make her a feminist, but what woman doesn't want that? Velutha is also introduced with more information. It said earlier something about him being in jail and Ammu killing him, but I don't think that it meant literally. He is an untouchable. The central family is known as touchables. Velutha works as a carpenter. He disappeared for a while and is now back. His father thinks that he is doing something bad. I think that he is having an affair with Ammu.
The way that this is written is very strange. The sentences are sometimes fragments, and the capitalization is very strange. Also, the novel jumps around time periods. It does give a lot of background information, which I think will be helpful later.
So far, I like the book, but I am not sure that I have gotten to the main storyline yet. I think that so far I have just had background information, and I am excited see what will happen next.
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