The God of Small Things

“Locate” the novel historically, geographically, and politically speaking.

Analyze the author’s use of literary devices to develop tone in the first pages of the novel.

Analyze the author’s characterization of our twin protagonists.

Analyze the author’s use of tone to characterize the protagonists.

Describe the family dynamics as they are revealed at Sophie Mol’s funeral.

Analyze the author’s characterization of Estha’s and Rahel’s childhoods after the death of Sophie Mol.

Contrast the author’s tone in this excerpt with the tone at the beginning of the chapter.

Analyze the author’s characterization of Rahel as an adult and her characterization of Baby Kochamma.

Analyze the symbolism of Paradise Pickles & Preserves.

Review the two plotlines as they have been presented thus far.

Analyze the characterization of Ammu.

Analyze the characterization of Pappachi and his relationship with Mammachi.

Analyze the author’s characterization of Chacko.

Trace the author’s development of the theme of colonialism.

Describe the turmoil in Kerala in 1969 based on the experiences of the characters in the novel.

Analyze the author’s characterization of Velutha.

Describe how Velutha’s character is used to reveal conflict in India.

Analyze the author’s development of the theme of history.

Mid-unit writing assessment #1

Analyze the author’s use of juxtaposition to characterize adult Estha.

Analyze the author’s development of tone and mood of the scene.

Analyze the impact of the author’s use of juxtaposition.

Analyze and describe the author’s development of the theme of love in this chapter.

Analyze the author’s use of the changes in Ayemenem to develop the theme of memory.

Interpret the effect of the power dynamics developed in the airport scene.

Analyze the author’s development of the theme of love in this chapter.

Analyze the motif of time, specifically the idea of freezing time.

Analyze the author’s development of the themes of history and love in these pages.

Analyze the author's development of character relationships.

Mid-unit writing assessment #2

Describe Estha's fears and the actions that his fears inspire.

Describe how the author creates an ominous mood in this chapter.

Analyze Ammu’s dream and the significance of her decisions to the plot and themes of the play.

Analyze the author’s development of the relationship between Estha and Rahel in chapter 12.

Describe Chacko and Margaret Kochamma’s relationship as revealed in chapter 13.

Analyze how the author uses character motivation to develop theme.

Analyze how the author develops the theme of memory in this section of the text.

Describe the author’s use of the motif of a play or performance in chapter 14.

Analyze the author’s use of class and caste conflict to develop the theme of history in this chapter.

Describe the impact of the nonlinear plot.

Analyze the themes of love and history as they are developed in these chapters.

Analyze the development of the theme of memory.

Analyze the impact of this scene on the development of the characters and themes of the text.

Analyze how the author’s characterization of Baby Kochamma impacts the reader’s understanding of the plot.

Track the author’s development of the theme of love.

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

Discuss and debate the major themes of the novel.