Ammu is an independent women better known as the mother of the twins from 'The God of small things'. She strongly was against the patriarchal Indian society as she was mistreated by her father as a child (Foreman, Kestler). The hatred grew along with her and led her to escape from Ayemenem- her home. She marries Baba hoping for a future she deserved but it became too late for her  before she realized her husband was an alcoholic. Her marriage ended when he tries to pimp her and  had no other choice than to return to Ayemenem with her toddler twins. The divorce became just another reason for her family to look down on her but despite her hardships she tried to be a good loving mother. When She fell hopelessly in love with Velutha, who was labeled an untouchable by the society, she had to keep her affair secret and according to a source (Shiminoff) eventually caused their downfalls. After velutha's death and separation from her twins, Ammu was shattered and she dies alone. Despite of her devastating life, her twins looked up to her as a strong loving mother. 

            

The character in the book has faced inequality and unjust from an early age from the family as her brother enjoyed more privileges. According to a source (tumbler) she wanted to break the conservative norms which shaped the so called culture of the society. This led her to marry Baba, a person of distinct cultural background. The character is trying to break the stereotypic clutches of the society by following what she wants rather than leading a life which is considered ideal for the society. She is not ashamed of accepting the feelings about velutha who was then considered a taboo and also according to Roy (178)  when she undoubtedly learned to make circles of smoke wisps with cigarettes''. Throughout the novel the character of Ammu has gone through rough times and it has been justified by the people around her as a result of unwise choices but it can be seen as deeds of an independent woman in order to survive. she is the one character whose life was ruined just because she did not fit in the stereotypic description which shaped a women's life in the society.

 

Her motherhood fickle around being strict and unwavering as well as loving. Her behaviors towards her own children can be seen as a reflection of her childhood (Tumbler). But all through the novel she is the bold character who did not wither due to the tragedies that had occurred to her. The only time she cries in front of her children is when she was called 'veshya' (prostitute) by the police officer due to false acquisition made by her aunt and eventually making the strong character that her children looks up to (Hatsie).

 Roy uses Ammu to portray two powerful emotions through her character. Ammu can be seen as an affectionate mother who cares nothing but the goodness of her children as well as a passionate lover who is ready to go any extreme for velutha (Hastie). According to Ismail (7) The novel can be seen as an unconventional challenge at depicting the desiccated soul of a woman in an peculiar social situation.

 

Reference

 

• Ben Florman and Justin Kestler, LitCharts Editors. "LitChart on The God of Small Things." LitCharts.com. Web. 7 Feb 2016.

• Megan Hastie. "prezi.com character analysis of ammu, 5 June 2013. Web. 7 February 2016.

• David Shiminoff, Shmoop Literature lead. 'smoop.com god of small things ammu'. Web. 7 February 2016.

• Patricia Leonardo and Cody Brazill. 'tumbler.com character analysis'. Web. 7 February 2016.

• Roy, Arundhati. The God of Small Things. First HarperPerennial edition. HarperPerennial, 1998.

• Mohammed Ismail. K. Cultural narratives in Arunthathi Roy's The God of small things: A critical analysis. Ijellh Volume II issue II. June 2013. Web. 7 February 2016