Women’s Voices of Resistance in The God of Small Things

Abstract

Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things presents a powerful exploration of women’s resistance within a rigid patriarchal and caste-bound society in Kerala. The novel portrays how female characters negotiate oppressive social structures, cultural expectations, and gender discrimination. This paper examines the voices of resistance articulated by women in the narrative, particularly through the characters of Ammu, Rahel, and Baby Kochamma. Ammu’s defiance of patriarchal authority and her transgression of social and caste boundaries symbolize a bold challenge to dominant norms, while Rahel’s quiet and internal resistance reflects the psychological impact of social restrictions on women. Baby Kochamma, on the other hand, represents the internalization of patriarchal values and the complexities of female complicity within oppressive systems. By analyzing these characters, the study highlights how Roy exposes the intersection of gender, caste, and power in shaping women’s lives. Ultimately, the novel demonstrates that women’s resistance—whether overt or subtle—plays a crucial role in questioning and destabilizing entrenched patriarchal structures.