The God of Small Things

Lesson 22
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ELA

Unit 3

12th Grade

Lesson 22 of 37

Objective


Analyze the author's development of character relationships.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy  pp. 168 – 177

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes Ammu’s tone when she says “Oh, all the time!” to Margaret Kochamma on p. 170?

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Writing Prompt

Chacko and Ammu disagree about who has done something wrong in this scene. With whom do you agree more? Why?

Describe Rahel’s feelings toward Sophie Mol and “The Play.” Explain using evidence from the text.

Key Questions


  • Was it Velutha that Rahel saw at the Communist March? Why does this question keep reappearing? 
  • Why might Rahel not want Velutha to look at “The Play”?
  • Whose perspective is the narrator representing on p. 170 when she says, “Littleangels…And backwards-reading habits.” (The twins’ perception of what Kochu Maria thinks of them.)
  • How does Ammu react to Margaret’s question about the sniffing? Why? How does this reaction develop the theme of history?
  • Note the setting change to a flashback.
  • Track the development of the public Pappachi vs. private Pappachi on pp. 171–173. (Students might make a connection to the father in Purple Hibiscus here.) 
  • According to the narrator on p. 171, no one in the family understood where Ammu had developed her revolutionary side given that she didn’t go to school. Based on the stories on pp. 172–173, where do we know Ammu developed her sense of injustice?
  • Who is still “here” when the cake is cut? Who is not? What does this presence and absence reflect? (Note references to the Blue Army. Who are they?)
  • Why does Baby Kochamma call Velutha the family’s “nemesis”?
  • How does the author’s use of juxtaposition on p. 176 further develop Kochu Maria’s character? 
  • Kochu Maria accuses Rahel of being jealous. Is she? Of whom? How does the narrator convey Rahel’s jealousy on pp. 176–177.
  • Who are the “Fond Smiles” on p. 177?
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Lesson 21

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Lesson 23

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