Respond in a well-organized essay, and make sure your answer is written in complete sentences. Include at least two supporting details or examples. A. In “The Literature of the Middle East and South Asia,” Laura Winkiel writes: “These stories help us to understand the complex questions that Middle Easterners and South Asian people ask as they stand at a crossroads of cultural and religious change.” Explain how this statement applies to one of the selections you read. Be sure to include the title of the selection and explain the crossroads that it illustrates.
In the selection "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy, the statement made by Laura Winkiel, “These stories help us to understand the complex questions that Middle Easterners and South Asian people ask as they stand at a crossroads of cultural and religious change," can be applied. "The God of Small Things" is a novel that delves into the lives of an Indian family living in Ayemenem, Kerala, during a period of significant cultural and political changes in the 1960s.
The crossroads of cultural and religious change in the novel is exemplified through the characters' struggles with their societal and familial responsibilities, as well as their interactions with the changing belief systems. The main characters, Rahel and Estha, are haunted by their mother's affair and subsequent abandonment of the family, which challenges the societal norms of a conservative Indian society. This cultural change compels them to question their own identities and roles in their family and society.
Furthermore, the novel explores the religious tensions between the Hindu and Christian communities in Ayemenem. The characters are caught in the clash of these two belief systems, which reflects the wider cultural and religious divisions present in South Asian societies at the time. They grapple with the pressures of conforming to religious expectations and traditions, while also yearning for personal liberation from the constraints of a rigid society.
One example that illustrates this crossroads is the character of Ammu, the mother of Rahel and Estha. She defies social conventions by having an extramarital affair with an Untouchable man, Velutha. This act of rebellion challenges the rules and expectations of a conservative Indian society, where inter-caste relationships are strictly forbidden. Ammu's actions symbolize the struggle of individuals to find their own agency and break free from the shackles of societal norms.
Additionally, the character of Velutha represents the intersection of cultural and religious change. As an Untouchable, he is considered part of the lowest caste, which faces extreme discrimination and oppression. Through his relationship with Ammu, Velutha defies the rigid caste system, symbolizing a push towards social equality. This showcases the tensions and complexities that arise in a society grappling with cultural and religious changes.
In conclusion, "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy exemplifies the crossroads of cultural and religious change in South Asian societies. Through the characters' struggles with societal expectations and their interactions with changing belief systems, the novel highlights the complex questions that individuals face in the midst of cultural shift. The exploration of inter-caste relationships and the clash between Hindu and Christian communities illustrate the challenges and tensions that Middle Easterners and South Asians encounter as they navigate the complexities of their changing societies.