Critical Race Theory in the God of Small Things
Critical Race Theory in The God of Small Things
Sex and race are always useful and mentioned with intention in texts. In Arundhati Roy’s novel The God of Small Things there is a clear intention to the use of sex and race to keep and rid of the main key characters in the novel. The character or characters who engage in unlawful sexual acts are punished while unwanted or undesired race is purged. In this Indian society that worships England, Love Laws, and the Caste System race and sex creates intra-racial racism within the Indian communities that is reinforced with force through the government and Caste System.
Intra-racial racism is a result of internalized racism while internalized racism is a result of Anglophilia. The God of Small Things depicts this concept clearly through its woven story of creatures and culture. “They were a family of Anglophiles.” (Roy 51) Through manipulating a character list of mixed races, Roy creates a dynamic between the white race and brown race. Internalized racism reigns as the characters believe in white superiority. When posing for a portrait, Pappachi’s choice of attire resembles that of an English horseback rider even “though he had never ridden a horse in his life.” (Roy 50). Beyond attire, Pappachi firmly believed in the Englishman’s nobility. Ammu attempted to explain her husband’s infidelity through his willingness to give Ammu to Mr. Hollick to be “looked after” to Pappachi (Roy 41). He “would not believe her story – not because he thought well of her husband, but because he didn’t believe that an Englishman, any Englishman, would covet another man’s wife.” (Roy 42). Pappachi would believe an Indian being adulterous but he regards the English so highly, an Englishman would be incapable of such a travesty – hence the Englishman is more honorable, decent, and virtuous than an Indian man. Roy also places emphasis on the characters that are of the white race. The household waits in anticipation for the arrival of the English
Sex and race are always useful and mentioned with intention in texts. In Arundhati Roy’s novel The God of Small Things there is a clear intention to the use of sex and race to keep and rid of the main key characters in the novel. The character or characters who engage in unlawful sexual acts are punished while unwanted or undesired race is purged. In this Indian society that worships England, Love Laws, and the Caste System race and sex creates intra-racial racism within the Indian communities that is reinforced with force through the government and Caste System.
Intra-racial racism is a result of internalized racism while internalized racism is a result of Anglophilia. The God of Small Things depicts this concept clearly through its woven story of creatures and culture. “They were a family of Anglophiles.” (Roy 51) Through manipulating a character list of mixed races, Roy creates a dynamic between the white race and brown race. Internalized racism reigns as the characters believe in white superiority. When posing for a portrait, Pappachi’s choice of attire resembles that of an English horseback rider even “though he had never ridden a horse in his life.” (Roy 50). Beyond attire, Pappachi firmly believed in the Englishman’s nobility. Ammu attempted to explain her husband’s infidelity through his willingness to give Ammu to Mr. Hollick to be “looked after” to Pappachi (Roy 41). He “would not believe her story – not because he thought well of her husband, but because he didn’t believe that an Englishman, any Englishman, would covet another man’s wife.” (Roy 42). Pappachi would believe an Indian being adulterous but he regards the English so highly, an Englishman would be incapable of such a travesty – hence the Englishman is more honorable, decent, and virtuous than an Indian man. Roy also places emphasis on the characters that are of the white race. The household waits in anticipation for the arrival of the English