, where society rejects her as a burden.
A Loving and Caring Mother: Ammu’s whole life centers on her twins, Estha and Rahel. She loves them deeply and wants to protect them from pain. The narrator says,
“When you hurt people, they begin to love you less.”
Though sometimes harsh, her heart is full of love. She raises her children alone and teaches them kindness and truth. Her love gives the novel emotional strength, but her anger and helplessness often make her suffer more.
A Rebel Against Social Injustice: Ammu does not accept unfair rules of society. She challenges the “Love Laws” that divide people by caste and class. When she loves Velutha, an untouchable, she breaks all boundaries. The narrator says,
“Where the Love Laws lay down who should be loved. And how. And how much.”
Ammu’s love is an act of freedom and courage. Through her, Roy shows how women fight for love even when society punishes them.
Victim of Cruel Tradition: Ammu becomes a victim of the same social system she opposes. When her affair is discovered, her family locks her in a room and blames her for everything. Baby Kochamma lies to the police and destroys her life. The narrator says,
“Things can change in a day.”
In one day, Ammu loses her children, her honour, and her hope. Her story shows the cruelty of a society that cannot forgive a woman for loving freely.
Symbol of Feminine Strength and Tragedy: Ammu’s life ends early, but her spirit remains strong. She dies alone and poor, yet she becomes a symbol of female courage. Her love for Velutha, though forbidden, gives her life meaning. Her children remember her with pain and love. The narrator says,
“The cost of living climbed to unaffordable heights.”
This line captures her emotional price for choosing truth over safety. Ammu’s tragedy becomes the moral heart of the novel.
In conclusion, Ammu is one of Arundhati Roy’s most memorable creations. She stands for love, courage, and rebellion in a cruel society. Her life reflects the pain of many Indian women who suffer in silence. Through Ammu, Roy shows how love can be both beautiful and dangerous in a world ruled by caste, class, and gender inequality.
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