The God of Small Things

Novel | Arundhati Roy
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Briefly narrate the series of events that lead to Sophie Mol’s death.

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Briefly narrate the series of events that lead to Sophie Mol’s death. [2016]  

Arundhati Roy (1961-Present), in her novel “The God of Small Things” (1997), presents the tragic story of Sophie Mol’s death. The event is not sudden but grows through love, anger, and misunderstanding. It becomes the center of sorrow and destruction in the Ipe family.

Arrival and Family Tension: Sophie Mol comes to Ayemenem with her mother, Margaret Kochamma. The family tries to welcome them warmly. The narrator says, 

“It was a time when the unthinkable became thinkable.” 

But inside the house, jealousy and tension grow. Ammu’s secret love for Velutha and Baby Kochamma’s bitterness prepare the ground for tragedy.

Discovery of the Forbidden Love: Velutha and Ammu meet secretly by the river. Their love breaks the “Love Laws.” Velutha’s father, Vellya Paapen, informs Mammachi about this affair. In anger, Mammachi and Baby Kochamma l

ock Ammu in her room. She cries that her children are “millstones” around her neck. Hurt and frightened, Estha and Rahel decide to run away. Sophie Mol joins them.

The Drowning and False Accusation: The three children cross the river in a small boat. The narrator says, 

“Things can change in a day.” 

The boat turns over, and Sophie Mol drowns. Velutha is falsely blamed for kidnapping and murder. He is beaten to death by the police. This single event destroys the peace of all family members forever.

Thus, Sophie Mol’s death results from jealousy, social injustice, and misunderstanding. Her drowning changes every life in Ayemenem. Through this tragedy, Roy shows how small mistakes and cruel customs can kill both love and innocence.

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Arundhati Roy
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from The God of Small Things