God of Small Things

               Velutha may be the God of Small Things to Rahel, Estha, and Ammu, being there for them in times of need, a best friend, someone to look up to, and even a God. Velutha is a character in The God Of Small Things, he has been through struggles and hardships, even people of Ayemenem spread rumors about him. Rahel, Estha, and Ammu have struggles of their own. Because Velutha is so strong and does not let the weak of the world get to him, he is someone that Rahel, Estha, and Ammu admire and put in a Godly vision. More than once they talk about how Velutha could not touch Ammu “If he touched her he couldn’t talk to her, if he loved her he couldn’t leave, if he spoke he couldn’t listen, if he fought he couldn’t win” (207). This time on page 207, when this is mentioned, Velutha is in Ammu’s dream. He wants to hold her but he can’t because he only has one arm. This is an example of struggle he has throughout the book to be able to satisfy and help their needs. He wants to be there for them as much as he can, but struggles are faced. Veluthia becomes a "God" in the eyes of Ammu, along with Rahel and Estha. He becomes a longing desire, and an escape from the hell they live in. "The God of Loss, The God of Small Things, The God of Goosebumps and Sudden Smiles" (312). Velutha brings smiles to their faces, when they struggle to be happy, and goosebumps to Ammu, because she is so desperately longing for him to hold her. Velutha is in a way a God to them, he makes them happy and he is someone to look over them.

Interesting Fact:The God Of Small things was not officially banned, but it faced controversy and challenges in India. Roy faced an obscenity trial for her depiction of love between a Christian woman and a low caste Hindu servant. The novel included pedophilia and incest, but apparently those issues were not what made the novel "obscene."

 

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire is a rags to riches story which show an over throw of political powers, and the success of social life. Jamal a young boy who is an orphan from Mumbai lives and breathes for Latika, a beautiful woman who has always been his other half. They grew up in the slums of Mumbai and had nothing but the means of survival to keep them going. When faced up against a political battle, when Jamal is placed on "Who wants to be a Millionaire", they fight a battle one never saw coming. Jamal is arrested for cheating at the game. The political battle fought here, is that the "higher class" does not want to see someone from the slums who is uneducated win their show that proves brains, which are gained through schooling, something Jamal never has had. Jamal tells his story to the police officer of what happened between him, Latika, and his brother Salim. Salim works for Javed who pretty much owns the love of his life Latika. The host of "Who wants to be a Millionaire" will do anything in his power to keep Jamal from winning the show, even if it is telling him the wrong answer in the bathroom, but saying it is the right one. Jamal is not deceived because he is used to deception like the deception of his brother in the early years of his life. Jamal truly used his "slumdog" knowledge of the streets to surprise the whole country of India. He is allowed to play the show when the interrogation is over, and the government finally believes that Jamal has not been cheating, just one lucky kid about to have a fairy tale ending. After winning the game show, he wins over the heart of Latika finally who escaped Javed's with the help of Salim. Salim dies, for his brother. This truly is a fairy tale, which is blockaded in many ways by higher political powers. Rags to riches, Slums to palaces. Jamal and Latika live happily ever after.

Jai Ho means may victory be yours. This song is a great example of exactly what Slumdog Millionaire is about. Whether the victory was winning the game show, or beating the slumdog life and not letting it ruin you, victory was won for Jamal. Victory once again is awarded to Jamal who struggled the whole time to save Latika from the evil Javed. Jai Ho is a perfect way to describe the transition from slumdog to millionaire. This song is an awesome way to end the movie!