Top 4 The God of Small Things quotes
“That the emptiness in one twin was only a version of the quietness in the other. That the two things fitted together. Like stacked spoons. Like familiar lovers’ bodies.”
Chapter 1
The novel presents a unique relationship that is shared by the fraternal twins of the novel. The simile that likens the two of them as lovers foreshadows the incestuous relationship that they develop as adults at the close of the novel.
“Inside the curtain, Rahel closed her eyes and thought of the green river, of the quiet deep- swimming fish, and the gossamer wings of the dragonflies (that could see behind them) in the sun. She thought of her luckiest fishing rod that Velutha had made for her.”
Chapter 6
Rahel retreats into memories of the river when she comes to receive her foreign relatives. The novel repeatedly emphasizes the importance of small things, as such the narrative often takes a detour from the main plot of the novel to explore the memories and feelings that the characters experience, which have little to no relevance to the actual plot of the novel.
“Because Anything can Happen to Anyone, It’s Best to be Prepared.”
Chapter 10
Estha dwells on his experience of sexual harassment and tries to make sense of it himself without confiding in an adult who could give him the help he requires. He decides that the above are the two important truths of life, and goes about the rest of his life with them in his mind. Rahel recognizes the truth in her brother’s words and is reminded of them at various junctures in her life.
“The God of Small Things. He left no footprints in sand, no ripples in water, no image in mirrors.”
Chapter 10
Velutha is the personification of the novel’s ultimate message, that the small things are important. He lives in the moment and does not think about the big things such as the disparity between his status and Ammu’s, the consequences of their love, and the hate that he inspires in the minds of policemen and touchable people. Eventually, Velutha dies in a small holding cell after being beaten to death by police officers, and nothing further is made of his death. He leaves no marks on the world, but just memories in the minds of people who knew him, and loved him.
