The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy deviates from the conventional novel through using time, both thematically and as a structuring device, giving it a pivotal point of focus and importance. This she does to enhance the novel with deeper meaning than what the surface may initially portray. Through the use of a fragmented and non-linear structure, Roy emphasizes key themes in the novel. She often freezes time in order to prepare the reader and create a menacing tone. Moreover, Roy uses language as a technique to employ characterization and shift perspectives, which aids the non-conventional notion of time to take place within the novel.
Through a nonlinear structure, Roy combines events in a non-chronological order to mix actual events …show more content…
By using a child’s perspective, language becomes significant. “Not old. Not young. But a viable die-able age.” (page 5) This refers to the death of Ammu. The young twins focus on the sound of the words rather than the meaning by playing with pronunciation, rhyming and similarities in sound. “Afternoon Gnap.” (page 214) There is an obvious disconnection between the word and sound in the child’s mind. Near to the beginning of the novel it states that the twins had to form the words properly, and be particularly careful about their pronunciation, hence they concentrate on sound. The use of capital letters occurs often. “Walked to the window and opened it. For a Breath of Fresh Air.” (page 29) Using the words as proper nouns emphasizes the meaning of them. As time passes, the language changes and this effects how the reader receives the content.
In The God of Small Things, time becomes a force that constructs and deconstructs meaning, and in effect Roy reminds us of its power to influence in our own lives. To intensify the significance, Roy employs the supporting techniques of structure, language and the notion of time both as a theme and structurally. As a result, the novel differs from a conventional novel through the notion of time, incorporating flashbacks and flash-forwards to amplify characters, key themes and important events in the
Through a nonlinear structure, Roy combines events in a non-chronological order to mix actual events …show more content…
By using a child’s perspective, language becomes significant. “Not old. Not young. But a viable die-able age.” (page 5) This refers to the death of Ammu. The young twins focus on the sound of the words rather than the meaning by playing with pronunciation, rhyming and similarities in sound. “Afternoon Gnap.” (page 214) There is an obvious disconnection between the word and sound in the child’s mind. Near to the beginning of the novel it states that the twins had to form the words properly, and be particularly careful about their pronunciation, hence they concentrate on sound. The use of capital letters occurs often. “Walked to the window and opened it. For a Breath of Fresh Air.” (page 29) Using the words as proper nouns emphasizes the meaning of them. As time passes, the language changes and this effects how the reader receives the content.
In The God of Small Things, time becomes a force that constructs and deconstructs meaning, and in effect Roy reminds us of its power to influence in our own lives. To intensify the significance, Roy employs the supporting techniques of structure, language and the notion of time both as a theme and structurally. As a result, the novel differs from a conventional novel through the notion of time, incorporating flashbacks and flash-forwards to amplify characters, key themes and important events in the