Presentation of the Sufferings of Dalits (Untouchables) in Arundhati Roy's The God Of Small Things

Abstract

The present study is an attempt of presenting the sufferings of dalits and their pathetic condition due to their lower caste that figure in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things.  Untouchability and slavery symbolize the deprivation, disgrace, and inhuman oppression on a section of human beings. Men become hostile against one another. Social, political, economic, racial and cultural prejudices are seen at many places. All human beings are born equal but there discrimination among them is created by people with vested interests. The need to define the social, moral and ideological perspectives leads to concern the social dilemma of the underprivileged and exploited in society. Roy’s The God of Small Things is published after Independence. The God of Small Things (1996) is her first novel. The novel is a set in Kerala. The story is simple. It articulates the dalit Christen voice. Overall the novel is psychological presentation and observation of very small things of life. The novel deals with the problem of untouchability and social harassment. It is about the class and caste issues in southern India. Upper caste Christianity is presented in the novel in connection with socio-political changes.Dalits, Untouchability, Inhuman Oppression, Cultural Prejudices, Ideological Perspectives, Underprivileged, Social Harassment, Upper Caste Christianity, Socio-Political