Estha, a sensitive and introspective boy, carries the

Estha:
weight of past traumas. He is haunted by disturbing
events within his family, which shape his quiet nature.
Estha's deep bond with his twin sister, Rahel, serves as a
source of comfort and resilience in the face of tragedy and
the complexities of their lives.
- His silence becomes a metaphor for the silenced voices
within society, reflecting the oppressive nature of power
structures and the fear that stifles individual expression.
“Estha’s silence was never awkward. Never intrusive. Never
noisy. A barely noticeable quietening.” (Roy; pp. 6)
Estha, a sensitive and introspective boy, carries the weight of past traumas. He is haunted by disturbing
events within his family, which shape his quiet nature. Estha's deep bond with his twin sister, Rahel,
serves as a source of comfort and resilience in the face of tragedy and the complexities of their lives.

Estha is the one of the twin sibling, sensitive and perceptive.

He has a deep emotional connection with his sister Rahel. 
He is also deeply affected by the events of the novel, his
traumatic experiences of being molested.

Rahel is one of the novel's main characters, and one of

Rahel:
the twin siblings. She is an imaginative, rebellious girl and
keen observer “She [Rahel] noticed that Sophie Mol was
awake for her funeral. - Only Rahel noticed Sophie Mol’s
secret cartwheel in her coffin.”(Roy; pp. 5-6)
- She is closely connected to her twin brother, Estha. Rahel's
character represents the clash between individual desires and
societal expectations. 
Rahel's journey intertwines with themes of love, loss, and the
rigid social hierarchy, shaping her perspective and
influencing the choices she makes.
Rahel is an imaginative and rebellious girl, closely connected to her twin brother, Estha. Together, they
navigate a world marked by tragedy and societal constraints. Rahel's journey intertwines with themes of
love, loss, and the rigid social hierarchy, shaping her perspective and influencing the choices she makes.

Her story unfolds against a backdrop of social unrest and

political turmoil, emphasizing the broader struggles faced by
those who dare to defy the established norms.

Ammu: Ammu is the twins' mother, complex and tragic figure

in the novel. 
- She is portrayed as a fiercely independent woman who is
trapped by the social conventions of her time and punished
for her love for Velutha, a lower-caste man. 
- Ammu is deeply flawed, but also sympathetic and relatable,
as she struggles against the limitations placed on her by her
society.
“What was it that gave Ammu this Unsafe Edge? This air of
unpredictability? It was what she had battling inside her. An
unmixable mix. The infinite tenderness of motherhood and
the reckless rage of a suicide bomber.” (Roy; pp. 21)
Ammu, a strong-willed woman and mother of Estha and Rahel, faces the restrictions imposed by society.
Her relationship with Velutha, an untouchable, challenges the norms of the time and brings about
devastating consequences. Ammu's story highlights the struggle for personal freedom within a
conservative society, underscoring the sacrifices she must make.

Velutha: Velutha is a lower-caste man who works as a carpenter. He is

portrayed as a kind and intelligent, but ultimately destroyed by the
rigid social hierarchy of Kerala. 
- His tragic fate is one of the key themes of the novel, as it
highlights the destructive nature of the caste system in India.
Velutha, a skilled carpenter from the untouchable caste, defies social boundaries by engaging in a
forbidden romance with Ammu. His involvement in the tragic events reveals the oppressive caste system
and the dire consequences of challenging its norms. Velutha's marginalized status emphasizes the
inequalities deeply ingrained in society.

Sophie Mol: ophie

Mol is the twins' cousin, and a free-spirited and
adventurous young girl. She captures the twins' imagination and
forms a close bond with them, but her tragic fate underscores the
destructive nature of the social hierarchy in Kerala. Sophie Mol, Estha and
Rahel's English cousin, represents the clash of cultures and the consequences of forbidden connections.
Her untimely death acts as a catalyst, unraveling secrets and exposing the underlying tensions within the
family. Sophie Mol's presence leaves a lasting impact on the lives of those around her.

 is Chacko's ex-wife and Sophie Mol's mother. She

Margaret Kochamma:
is portrayed as a reserved and distant figure, who is still deeply
affected by the trauma of her past. Margaret's character is important
to the novel's themes of loss and the enduring impact of past events
on the present.
Margaret Kochamma, Ammu's sister, grapples with her identity as an Anglo-Indian. Her story sheds light
on the complexities of mixed heritage and the clash between traditional values and modern influences.
Margaret's struggles and choices reflect the challenges of navigating cultural and personal expectations
in a changing world.

Baby Kochamma is bitter and manipulative

Baby Kochamma (Aunt Baby):
woman, consumed by her own desires. Her character is important to
the novel's themes of family, betrayal, and the corrupting influence
of power.
“Navomi Ipe, but everybody called her Baby. She became Baby
Kochamma when she was old enough to be an aunt.” (Roy; pp. 2)
Baby Kochamma, the grandaunt of Estha and Rahel, is a bitter and manipulative character. Her actions
and schemes further complicate the lives of the main characters, adding layers of deceit and betrayal to
the narrative. Baby Kochamma's presence casts a shadow of discord and manipulation over the family
dynamics. and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals.

Chacko:Chacko is portrayed as a conflicted and flawed individual

who is torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire for
personal freedom. His character is important to the novel's
exploration of the tensions between tradition and modernity, and the
challenges faced by those who seek to break free from the
constraints of their society.
Chacko, Ammu's ex-husband and Sophie Mol's father, embodies the conflicts between different
generations and cultures. His failed marriage and strained relationship with his family underscore the
challenges of reconciling personal desires with societal expectations. Chacko's character serves as a
reminder of the complexities inherent in navigating love and familial obligations.

Pappachi and Mammachi: Pappachi and Mammachi, the grandparents of Estha and Rahel, symbolize the
strict adherence to societal norms. Their authoritative presence influences the family dynamics,
reinforcing the social hierarchy and stifling individuality. Pappachi's abusive tendencies and Mammachi's
passive demeanor contribute to the oppressive atmosphere that shapes the lives of the younger
generation.

Ammu: Ammu is a complex character who embodies the contradictions and limitations of postcolonial
India. On the one hand, she is a strong and independent woman who defies societal expectations and
seeks fulfillment outside of marriage and motherhood. On the other hand, she is constrained by the
social and cultural norms of her community and ultimately pays a heavy price for her transgressions. As
one example of her struggle against these limitations, Roy writes, "Ammu had fought all her life to be
independent. To be free. And to be loved. But love and freedom had not been compatible with each
other."

Velutha: Velutha is another character who embodies the tensions and conflicts of postcolonial India. As a
member of the "untouchable" Dalit community, he is marginalized and oppressed by the dominant
upper-caste society. At the same time, he is also portrayed as a strong and capable individual who defies
his lowly social status and asserts his dignity and worth. In one scene, Roy writes, "Velutha was standing
in the river, his feet buried in the sandy bottom. He was bare-chested, his lungi clinging wetly to his legs.
He looked like a god."

Baby Kochamma: Baby Kochamma is a character who embodies the legacy of colonialism and its impact
on Indian society. As a member of the Anglo-Indian community, she has internalized the values and
prejudices of the colonial ruling class, and she uses these to maintain her power and privilege within the
family. At the same time, she is also portrayed as a tragic figure who is unable to escape the limitations
of her own identity. As Roy writes, "Baby Kochamma's heart was a dark horror show of grief, misery, and
woe. But she had to smile for the sake of the foreigners."

Overall, the characterization in "The God of Small Things" reflects the complex and often conflicting
realities of postcolonial India. Through the portrayal of characters like Ammu, Velutha, and Baby
Kochamma, the novel explores the themes of identity, power, and oppression, and shows how these are
shaped by historical and cultural forces.