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Narrative Structures In The God Of Small Things By Arundhati Roy

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The God of Small Things Study Guide

Narrative Structures

Arundhati Roy published her novel called “The God of Small Things” in 1997. The novel was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction later that year. The story mainly takes place in Ayemenem, Kerala India during December 1969 and June 1993. However there are many exceptions as the Arundhati Roy includes multiple flashbacks and flashforwards. Many of which take place in various other settings during other times.

The story focuses on a particular Indian family and the relationships between the members of this family throughout the years. The main themes that are present in this novel are family and relationships, society and class, politics, memory and the past, and change versus preservation.

This study guide will target Arundhati’s use of narrative structures within the novel and will analyse why these particular structures were used and the affect they have on the understanding of the novel.

Definitions/Key Terms + Effects
Narrative Structure
Order in which the story is told

Flashbacks
An interruption of an old memory to the current event
To provide background knowledge + context to current events
Gives readers more insight to the characters + situation
Increase emotional impact

Flashforwards

Alternating Narrative
Reader gets a more in-depth look at the story creating a better understanding
Creates a more holistic view of the story

Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing helps to create suspense
Prepare reader for

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