The God of Small Things Lesson Plan

How do the descriptions of weather and nature at the beginning of Chapter 1 set the tone for the story?

The first few paragraphs establish a hot, lethargic setting. The descriptions are mostly composed of short, rhythmic sentences, each one listing the actions of a particular plant or animal. The effect is a setting that feels crowded and overrun. Words like "brooding," "sloth," "immodest," "bulged," and "scummy" underline the feeling that the world itself is decaying, even though it is full of life. This sets the stage for the Ipe family, which is decaying under the weight of its own history.

Describe Rahel and...