Edward Said and God of Small Things

Edward Said's writing on Orientalism fits quite nicely with the cultural differences that are highlighted in God of Small Things. Orientalism gets at the deeply rooted historical perspective in which white westerners feel a sense of superiority over their eastern counterparts. Throughout the novel, this concept is explored in many scenes, constructing "the play" that is referenced. The reference to the play is a direct example of how Ammu and Baby Kochamma attempt to appear as anglophile as possible when Sophie Mol and Margaret Kochamma visit Ayemenem. Rahel and Estha are expected to "perform" their roles within this play, demonstrating a cultural awareness of English texts such as the Tempest. This desire to appeal to western culture and impress their English relatives is rooted in the fact that Orientalism constructs a binary in which Ammu feels as if she is uncivilized and inferior as opposed to the young Sophie Mol, who is considered naturally more civilized than her Indian family.

This sense of inferiority and an uncivilized cultural state is pushed even farther when Ammu comments on the way that her Indian family kisses and expresses love to each other. When Sophie Mol and Margaret Kochamma observe this act, they question if this is a norm and what it means. Ammu appears very defensive and sarcastically comments that that is in fact how they make babies in India. Ammu continues to say they they are not just some "Damn godforsaken tribe that has just been discovered". This is indicative of Ammu's sense of inadequacy and what seems to a cultural shortcoming in the eyes of her more esteemed, western relatives. I think God of Small Things conveys Orientalism and its effects through the eyes of those being judged, not those who are judging, which is not often the point of view we are used to. This book exposes the way easterners, in this case Indians, perceive Orientalism and the identity that is cast upon them, even though they do not find it fitting. In this scene, Ammu makes a clear distinction between her previous behavior in abiding by the rules of the "play" and her frustration with those rules that say she must behave a certain way in front of westerners to be considered appealing and civilized.