The God Of Small Things And The Housemaid's Daughter Analysis

The two comparative texts, The God of Small Things (TGOSM) by Arundhati Roy and The Housemaid’s Daughter (THD) by Barbara Mutch, a bildungsroman novel, explores an individual’s changing perspective upon their societal values during the 1960’s Communist era in India and the Apartheid era of the 1920’s. The God of Small Things is set in Kerala, India and revolves around traumatic childhood experiences and The Housemaid’s daughter is set in Cradock House where a young black girl is raised within a white family, both facing many adversities. They explore familial relationships where they create a foundation for their values at a young age which results into the loss of their innocence as the values taught were compromised when facing the injustices of their society. The comparative texts reflect that an individual’s views of their reputation within society is influenced by the values that are enforced through their cultures in the form of discrimination and oppression.
In The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy explores how the absence of a proper fatherly and spouse figure affects the social development of a child and a woman’s position within society. Ammu grew up in an educated, middle class family who sought for values that reflected on their perfect …show more content…
Both books highlight how an absent father and early sexual experiences affect their moral values and reputation within society. Also, they both emphasises how the deeper injustices of society where its effects remain permanent affects an individual’s sense of self.
References
Boyle, R., 2010. The Impact of Sexual Abuse.
Diem-Wille, G., 2011. The Early Years of Life. London: Karnac Books Ltd .
Kruk, E., 2012. Father Absence, Father Deficit, Father