The God of Small Things

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 3

12th Grade

Lesson 9 of 37

Objective


Analyze the author’s characterization of Chacko.

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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy  pp. 50 – 58

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

The main purpose of Chacko’s analogy of the History House and the Earth Woman is to

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Sample Response

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What is the twins’ mistaken understanding of Chacko’s story about the History House?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

What techniques does the author use to develop the theme of colonialism in these pages? Describe using specific examples from the text.

Key Questions


  • Compare the terms “Anglophile” and “British CCP” as used on pp. 50–51. What does it reveal about Ammu and Chacko that they disagree about which is the better term for Pappachi?
  • What does Chacko mean when he describes them all as a family of Anglophiles? How does this relate to the theme of colonialism?
  • What does Chacko actually mean when he compares history to an old house at night? What is the twins’ misconception about his analogy?
  • What is the significance of the reference to Heart of Darkness? How does this allusion develop the theme of colonialism? Why do you think both Achebe and Roy reference Heart of Darkness in their postcolonial novels?
  • What does Chacko mean when he says, “A war that has made us adore our conquerors and despise ourselves”? How does this statement relate to his earlier statement about being Anglophiles? How does Chacko’s extension of the history analogy develop the theme of colonialism?
  • What is Chacko’s tone as he describes their place in history (beginning with “We’re Prisoners of War…”)? What diction conveys this tone? 
  • Why does Chacko tell the twins the story of the Earth Woman?
  • Why does the narrator say that “twinkle” seemed like the wrong word on p. 53?
  • On p. 53, the author tells the reader some information about the History House that the twins did not yet know. What is the impact of this choice by the author?
  • Where else have we seen the phrase “Worse Things Kept Happening.” Why might the author repeat this phrase? What is its impact here?
  • What are Chacko’s airplanes? What does Ammu say about them?
  • What do we learn about Chacko and the Pickle Factory on pp. 55–56?
  • How does the author further reveal women’s role in society in these pages?
  • Note the setting shift on p. 56. What happens that Rahel fears will make them late to the movie? To what does she attribute this?
  • What do we learn about Estha and Rahel as children on pp. 57–58

Notes


If students have not read excerpts of Heart of Darkness during the Things Fall Apart unit, the teacher should have students read a description or excerpt of it prior to today’s reading of pp. 50–58.

Next

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

Lesson 10
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