Question

What role does Baby Kochamma play in Sophie Mol’s death?

• A. She is innocent and unaware of the consequences
• B. She manipulates the situation to control the family
• C. She tries to prevent it
• D. She is the reason for her death

Answer 1

Answer:

B. She manipulates the situation to control the family

Baby Kochamma's Manipulative Role in Sophie Mol's Death

• Background of Baby Kochamma: Baby Kochamma is a central antagonist in Arundhati Roy's novel, The God of Small Things. She is the grand-aunt of Rahel and Estha and plays a significant role in the tragic events that unfold.
• Indirect Causation through Manipulation: While Baby Kochamma does not directly kill Sophie Mol, her actions and manipulative nature are instrumental in creating the circumstances that lead to the child's drowning.
• Instigating the Trip: She plants the idea in the children's minds, particularly Rahel's and Estha's, that they should go canoeing on the river to see the `History House`. She subtly encourages this dangerous adventure, knowing full well the risks involved for unsupervised children.
• False Testimony and Betrayal: After Sophie Mol's death, Baby Kochamma, driven by her deep-seated prejudices and desire to maintain social standing, falsely testifies to the police. She implicates Velutha, an 'untouchable' whom Ammu (the children's mother) loved, accusing him of molesting Rahel and Estha, and thus indirectly linking him to Sophie Mol's death. This false testimony leads to Velutha's brutal murder by the police.
• Motivation for Manipulation: Her manipulation stems from her rigid adherence to social hierarchies, her jealousy of Ammu's independence, and her desire to control the family's narrative and reputation, especially after the arrival of Sophie Mol and the perceived disruption of traditional norms.
• Psychological Impact: Her manipulative actions cause immense trauma and injustice, fundamentally shaping the lives of the characters, particularly Rahel and Estha, who carry the guilt and psychological scars of the events into adulthood.

Key Facts about The God of Small Things for Competitive Exams:

• Author: Arundhati Roy
• Year of Publication: 1997
• Literary Award: Winner of the Booker Prize in 1997, making Arundhati Roy the first Indian author to win the prestigious award.
• Setting: The story is primarily set in Ayemenem, a village in the state of Kerala, India.
• Major Themes: The novel explores complex themes such as casteism (the 'Love Laws' and forbidden love), social hierarchy, childhood trauma, loss, forbidden love, and the impact of political changes on personal lives.
• Narrative Structure: The novel employs a non-linear narrative, moving back and forth in time, revealing the tragic events gradually.