19th Annual Student Research Conference
Language & Literature
Estha and the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man: Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things
Christopher D. Robinson
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
The God of Small Things (1997) by Arundhati Roy tells the story of Estha and his fraternal twin sister, Rahel, and the stories that surround their childhood and adulthood. This novel, told through a child’s perspective, focuses on gender roles, colonialism, and familial and cultural death. In many ways, it is this childhood naiveté that creates tension throughout. In a chapter entitled “Abhilash Talkies,” Estha, a young boy, is forced to engage in sexual activity by an older individual called the “Orangedrink Lemondrink Man.” As the narrative progresses, the reader is re-introduced to the molestation through the thoughts of Estha, now referred to as “Estha Alone.” Unable to share his thoughts, both his mind and body are traumatized. I will be examining the connection between Estha’s psychological deterioration after his encounter with the “Orangedrink Lemondrink Man” and Estha’s loss of identity and blurred gender roles.
Keywords: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Arundhati Roy, Postcolonialism
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 50-2
Location: VH 1320
Time: 3:00