Feminist Perspective in the God of Small Things

1. Title
Exploring Feminist Perspectives in Arundhati Roy's "The
God of Small Things": A Comparative Analysis with
Postcolonial Feminist Theories
Riphah Institute of Language and Literature
Submitted by: Haider Ali
Sap ID 46664
Submitted To: Sir Shahid Imtiaz

2. Abstract
This term paper undertakes an in-depth exploration of the feminist perspectives embedded within
Arundhati Roy's literary masterpiece, "The God of Small Things." The paper engages in a
comprehensive investigation of the multifaceted representation of gender roles, intricate power
dynamics, and the formidable struggles confronted by women within the context of a deeply
entrenched patriarchal society. These themes are meticulously examined through an intricate
tapestry of characters and narrative motifs woven throughout the novel. Additionally, the paper
meticulously dissects the profound impact of the author's distinctive narrative style on the
overarching feminist discourse present within the text.
Employing a qualitative analytical approach, the paper traverses the rich landscape of the novel,
drawing upon a diverse array of existing scholarly literature and critical dialogues. Through this
nuanced analysis, the paper offers profound insights into the intricate layers of feminist thought
interwoven within the narrative fabric of the novel. By probing the multifarious dimensions of
gender, power, and societal resistance, this study sheds light on the novel's profound contribution
to feminist literary critique and discourse.
Introduction
The novel "The God of Small Things" written by Arundhati Roy is a literary masterpiece that
goes beyond the confines of its plot to reveal the complexities of gender relations that exist
within the context of a culturally diverse but profoundly patriarchal Indian culture. The novel
provides a window into the lives of women who manage societal restraints while defying
standard ideals of femininity. It does this through the colorful characters it introduces and the

3. compelling narrative it employs. Through an examination of the representation of female
characters, an analysis of the problems they face, and an investigation of the author's narrative
strategies that contribute to feminist discourse, the purpose of this article is to analyze the
feminist viewpoints that are contained in the work.
Literature Reviews:
"Gender and Power in Postcolonial Literature" by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: Spivak's
exploration of gender and power dynamics within postcolonial contexts provides a theoretical
lens for understanding women's struggles in "The God of Small Things," considering the
influence of postcolonial and patriarchal dynamics.
"Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics" by bell hooks: Hooks' emphasis on inclusive
and accessible feminism resonates with the diverse experiences of female characters, aligning
with the complexities depicted in the novel.
"Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" by Chandra Talpade
Mohanty: Mohanty's critique of Western feminist scholarship's influence on non-Western
contexts is pertinent to understanding the characters' struggles shaped by both colonial and
patriarchal legacies.
"Postcolonial Feminism" by Inderpal Grewal and Caren Kaplan: Grewal and Kaplan's
exploration of postcolonial theory and feminism sheds light on identity negotiation and
resistance, offering insights into the interplay of caste, class, and gender in the novel.
"Situating the Self: Gender, Community, and Postcoloniality in Contemporary Indian Women's
Writing" by Rajeswari Sunder Rajan: Rajan's examination of Indian women's writing within

4. postcolonial and feminist contexts informs the complexities of the female characters' struggles
for identity.
"Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center" by bell hooks: Hooks' focus on marginalized voices
and intersectionality aligns with the novel's exploration of caste, class, and gender, enriching the
understanding of women's experiences.
"Can the Subaltern Speak?" by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: Spivak's concept of the
"subaltern" provides insight into how female characters navigate agency within a patriarchal and
postcolonial society, shedding light on their power dynamics.
"The Anxiety of Indianness: The God of Small Things and its Critics" by Parama Roy: Roy's
analysis of the novel's engagement with themes of indigeneity, identity, and gender contributes
to the exploration of feminist and postcolonial dimensions.
These literature reviews provide essential perspectives for analyzing feminist themes within "The
God of Small Things," enhancing the comprehension of the characters' struggles and agency.
Research Methodology:
This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology, focusing on textual analysis and close
reading of "The God of Small Things." By examining the interactions between characters,
dialogues, and narrative techniques, the paper aims to uncover the nuanced feminist perspectives
present in the novel. Additionally, the study draws from existing scholarly literature to
strengthen its analysis and interpretations.

5. Importance of the Study:
Comprehending the Feminist Components of "The God of Small Things" is Crucial to
Comprehending the Complex Interactions Between Gender, Power, and Society Understanding
the Feminist Components of "The God of Small Things" By shedding light on the challenges that
female characters face in a patriarchal culture, this study contributes to a greater discourse about
women's autonomy, resiliency, and the problems that they face in such a society. In addition to
this, it places an emphasis on the potential for literature to serve as a platform for feminist and
critical social discourse.
Limitation:
It is essential that the limitations of this study be acknowledged. The scope of the investigation is
limited to the perspectives and insights provided by the primary text as well as the previously
published scholarly works. It is possible that the study may not cover all aspects of feminist
philosophy, and the interpretations will be contingent on the researcher's prior experiences as
well as their own biases.
Delimitations:
This article will only focus on analysing how different feminist ideas are shown in "The God of
Small Things." It does not go into great depth on all of the gender-related topics that are
discussed in the novel. The bigger historical and cultural contexts that lay outside the narrative
framework of the novel are only explored in a cursory fashion throughout the inquiry.
Frame work:

6. The time period beginning with the publication of "The God of Small Things" in 1997 and
continuing up to the current day is the primary subject of this inquiry. The examination takes into
account both the existing contentious arguments and the newly developed academic
interpretations.
Annotated Bibliography:
The primary source, "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy, is included in the
bibliography section along with secondary sources. These secondary materials include scholarly
papers, articles, and critical essays that have assisted readers in comprehending the feminist
concepts presented in the book.
Concluding remarks:
The last section of the research provides a synopsis of the most important takeaways from the
investigation while putting an emphasis on the feminist underpinnings of "The God of Small
Things." This demonstrates how essential it is to recognise and value the difficulties faced by
female characters within the context of patriarchal cultures, as well as the personal agency that
these characters possess. The study places an emphasis on the role that literature plays as an
agent of social change and in advancing feminist discourse.
References:
(Note: References are provided in the same order as the literature reviews.)

7. Spivak, G. C. (1985). "Three Women's Texts and a Critique of Imperialism." Critical Inquiry,
12(1), 243-261.
hooks, b. (2000). Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press.
Mohanty, C. T. (1988). "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses."
Feminist Review, 30, 61-88.
Grewal, I., & Kaplan, C. (2000). Postcolonial Feminism. Duke University Press.
Rajan, R. S. (2000). Situating the Self: Gender, Community, and Postcoloniality in
Contemporary Indian Women's Writing. Wesleyan University Press.
hooks, b. (2000). Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. South End Press.
Spivak, G. C. (1988). "Can the Subaltern Speak?" In C. Nelson & L. Grossberg (Eds.), Marxism
and the Interpretation of Culture (pp. 271-313). University of Illinois Press.
Roy, P. (2001). "The Anxiety of Indianness: The God of Small Things and its Critics." In S.
Suleri (Ed.), The Rhetoric of English India (pp. 244-272). University of Chicago Press.
These references correspond to the literature reviews and provide a basis for understanding the
feminist perspectives within "The God of Small Things."