Baby Kochamma, the great aunt of Estha and Rahel, is the very selfish, spiteful antagonist in The God of Small Things. In the novel, thus far, she is seen manipulating others and insulting Ammu and her children, especially because their father is no longer in their lives. While we mostly see the hateful Baby Kochamma that Arundhati Roy presents, we learn in chapter one that Baby Kochamma was once in love with Father Mulligan. She would relentlessly pursue him and try to catch his attention in ways not imaginable, by washing a peasant boy in public for hours to show her caring side and vowing to become a nun to please him. However, she is forbidden to be with him because of the love laws. After going to university and losing her love, she completely lacks drive in life and becomes super bitter and flat out rude. I am not a fan of Baby Kochamma, but after Roy reveals her love for Father Mulligan, I have a tiny bit of sympathy for the lonely, broken hearted (or heartless, really) Baby Kochamma.
I’m curious to see how Baby Kochamma’s maliciousness and manipulation skills shape the rest of the story...
When I read this section, I was really struck by the extent to which Baby Kochamma held onto this grudge and the extent to which she let this single event ruin her life. I could never imagine loving someone who you know so little about so much that you would allow your life to be in ruins if you are unable to have them. It seems like something that someone would move past, and, if they have the drive to pursue a single person like this, do something grand within the world, or at least within their situation. I think that it is definitely a waste of life, and agree it will be interesting to see where it goes.
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