Magic realism and Arundhati Roy’s god of small things

Abstract

Magic realism, as a literary genre, allows authors to blend the fantastical with the real, offering creative freedom in narrative techniques to juxtapose reality and imagination. This paper examines the use of magic realism in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things, focusing on its narrative through the perspectives of the twin protagonists, Estha and Rahel. Roy employs magic realism to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, constructing characters and events that challenge conventional storytelling. Key examples include the ethereal presence of Sophie Mol and the surreal portrayal of Abhilash Talkies. By analysing these elements, the paper explores how magic realism enriches the thematic and narrative depth of the novel.