The God of Small Things

Lesson 35
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ELA

Unit 3

12th Grade

Lesson 35 of 37

Objective


Describe the meaning of the phrase “small things” as used in this chapter and throughout the novel.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy  pp. 313 – 321

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

The main purpose of the question on p. 315 “Would he have turned away?” is to

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Writing Prompt

Why did Ammu and Velutha have to “stick to the small things”? Use evidence from throughout the novel to explain what this phrase means and why it is the case for these two lovers.

What is the impact of ending the novel on this scene with Ammu and Velutha that is not, chronologically speaking, the end of the events of the novel? How might the message of the novel be different if it ended with a different scene?

Key Questions


  • Note the setting.
  • What about the song Ammu heard on p. 314 probably caused her to react by “walking out of her world”?
  • What does the sentence on p. 314 “Had he known…would he have turned away” mean? What do you think he would have done?
  • Why are both Ammu and Velutha terrified by what they have done? (p. 319)
  • Why did Ammu and Velutha have to “stick to the small things” according to p. 320? 
  • What does the author even mean by “small things”?
  • What role did history play in their need to focus on “the small things”? Society? Prejudice?
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Lesson 34

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Lesson 36

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