Invisible Barriers and Fragmented Lives: An Analysis of Alienation and Estrangement in Arundhati Roy\'s The God Of Small Things

Authors : Mehmet Recep Taş, Elif Beyza Türkmenoğlu

Pages : 172-188

Doi:10.58306/wollt.1345902

View : 60 | Download : 103

Publication Date : 2023-12-31

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Arundhati Roy\'s novel, The God of Small Things, is a complex portrayal of alienation and estrangement experienced by its characters within the socio-political milieu of postcolonial India. Roy skillfully exposes the impact of societal norms and caste divisions on personal relationships, resulting in profound emotional isolation and rupture within the family unit. This evocative narrative sheds light on the disempowerment and disenfranchisement experienced by the estranged and marginalized voices. From this point of view, considering the theories of alienation, this article analyzes the various forms of alienation and estrangement depicted in the novel and explores their underlying causes and consequences. The analysis delves into the theme of familial alienation, focusing on the forbidden love between fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, and the subsequent estrangement within their family. Furthermore, the article examines the characters\' alienation from the political and cultural landscape of India. It explores how the colonial legacy, combined with the rigid social hierarchy, leads to the marginalization of certain groups and individuals, ultimately deepening their sense of estrangement. Additionally, through a close reading of the novel, this article reveals how Roy employs narrative techniques such as fragmented chronology and lyrical prose to mirror the characters\' fragmented identities and fragmented society. It explores the ways in which alienation and estrangement manifest themselves in the novel, and how they are inextricably linked to broader social and historical forces.
Keywords : Arundhati Roy, Yabancılaşma, Uzaklaşma, Sömürgecilik, Ötekileştirme