Ecocriticism and the Non-Human in The God of Small Things: A Study of Environmental Memory and River Symbolism

https://doi.org/10.55966/assaj.2025.4.1.046

Abstract

This paper examines Arundhati Roy’s portrayal of the god of small things through the perspective of ecocriticism, with a specific focus on the symbolic and narrative importance of the natural environment, particularly the Meenachal River. While the novel has been extensively analyzed for its postcolonial, feminist, and sociopolitical themes, this study shifts the focus to the non-human elements that shape and reflect the emotional and psychological landscape of the characters. By analyzing how the river and its surrounding environment serve as conduits for memory, trauma, and resilience, the paper contends that nature in the novel is not a mere backdrop but an active participant in the unfolding of human history and the endurance of suffering. The study also integrates post humanist perspectives to emphasize how non-human entities, such as rivers, decay, insects, and weather, disrupt human-centric narratives and enhance the novel's critique of environmental deterioration and cultural decay. Through their research, the authors not only highlight the environmental awareness present in the story but also suggest a more comprehensive understanding of ecological memory and the interdependence of human and non-human beings.

Keywords: Ecocriticism, Non-Human Agency, Environmental Memory, River Symbolism, Postcolonial Ecology