The God of Small Things

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 3

12th Grade

Lesson 4 of 37

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy  pp. 11 – 18

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

How does Rahel’s return impact Estha?

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The main purpose of the paragraph on p. 17 about Sophie Mol’s death (“The Loss…slack, womanish legs.”) is to

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Writing Prompt

What do we learn about Estha's and Rahel's childhoods after the death of Sophie Mol? Explain using evidence from the text.

Key Questions


  • What is the setting on p. 11?
  • Why was Estha “re-Returned”? 
  • Track the author’s characterization of Estha on p. 12.
  • There is a flashback at the bottom of p. 12. Make note of this and continue to track the characterization of Estha on pp. 12–14.
  • What does the octopus represent? How is it related to the idea of memory introduced earlier in the chapter?
  • What is the significance of the repetition of the term “re-Returned” in reference to Estha?
  • Who is Khubchand? Why is he included?
  • The author includes many details about Estha’s walks. Track what we learn about Ayemenem, characters, theme, and plot through his walks.
  • Who is Comrade Pillai? What do we learn about him? About his relationship to Estha?
  • Contrast Estha’s state of mind as described on p. 16 with his state of mind as described on p. 13. To what does the narrator attribute this change?
  • What do we learn about Rahel’s childhood on pp. 16–17?
  • What do we learn about the impact of Sophie Mol’s death on the life of the family? On Rahel’s childhood?

Notes


  • Students should be introduced to lungfish in order to understand the metaphor on p. 12.
  • Throughout the book, the author includes words, sentences, and anecdotes that are designed to cause the reader to ask questions (i.e., Why would all of the adults neglect the two remaining children after Sophie’s death rather than love them even more?). Students should be encouraged to record their questions in the margins of their book or in notebooks. If possible, the teacher should leave some time in class each day for students to raise and discuss these questions with each other either in pairs, small groups, or as a class.
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