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Esthappen - Characters, The God of Small Things | The God of Small Things- Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

Estha, short for Esthappen Yako, is the other half of our dynamic twin duo. He was born eighteen minutes before his twin, Rahel, which is sort of fitting since in many ways he seems like he's her older brother. Even as a child, Estha is almost painfully earnest and sincere. He loves his mother and Velutha, and he's protective of Rahel. Because he's such a sweet boy, it can be hard to watch what happens to him throughout the novel.

First, a look at Estha in 1969. He is a seven-year-old who loves Elvis Presley (he wears his hair in a puffed-up style to imitate him) and has a very childlike view of the world. He loves The Sound of Music, and one of the book's most heartwarming moments is when he sings so happily from the top of his lungs that he has to leave the movie theater.

Of course, if you've read this part already, you know that things go badly for Estha very quickly. His singing wakes up the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man, who is asleep behind the refreshment counter. The Orangedrink Lemondrink Man gets Estha to come behind the counter and molests him. After this experience, Estha's view of the world completely changes. No longer is it a happy and innocent place for him. We see this especially when Estha goes into the factory and thinks his Two Thoughts: "Anything can happen to anyone and It's best to be prepared" (10.28-30). All of a sudden, he realizes that the world can be a scary and unpredictable place.

In fact, this realization is one of the major ways the narrator shows us how Estha and Rahel are different. Estha sees the sinister aspects of the world that Rahel is not familiar with yet. Estha tries to protect Rahel, too, which shows us yet another dimension of his character. Just because he had to lose his innocence doesn't mean Rahel should have to.

That one bad event in Estha's life triggers the next, almost like a domino effect of bad experiences. When Estha fears that the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man might come to Ayemenem to repeat what happened at the movie theater, he reacts in what we might consider a pretty rational way: he thinks about it and makes a plan. Unfortunately, this plan – to row across the river and live at the History House – goes awry. Estha brings Rahel and Sophie Mol with him, and in the process the boat capsizes and Sophie Mol dies.

As if losing his cousin weren't a scary enough experience for Estha, the domino effect continues: Baby Kochamma blames Velutha for "abducting" the kids, and when the police come for Velutha, it just so happens that Estha and Rahel are there to see him beaten to a bloody pulp. To make matters worse, Baby Kochamma tricks Estha into thinking that Ammu will die in prison unless he speaks against Velutha. This moment is the straw that breaks the camel's back: "Estha's mouth said Yes. Childhood tiptoed out. Silence slid in like a bolt" (19.81-83). The cherry on top for Estha is that he is forced to leave Rahel and Ammu behind to go live with the father he hasn't seen since he was a toddler. Estha's childhood, as portrayed in the novel, is rough and scarring.

Let's fast forward to June 1993. Estha has been re-Returned to Ayemenem, and the man we meet is introspective, brooding, and somewhat lost. We learn that Estha has stopped speaking entirely. A shadow of his former self, he spends his days going for long walks and doing the household chores, which mostly involve washing his clothes with crumbling blue soap. When Rahel comes back, however, something changes:

It had been quiet in Estha's head until Rahel came. But with her she had brought the sound of passing trains, and the light and shade and light and shade that falls on you if you have a window seat. The world, locked out for years, suddenly flooded in, and now Estha couldn't hear himself for the noise. (1.92)

Estha's reunion with Rahel brings back a number of painful memories that up until this moment he has kept packed away. Estha and Rahel end up delving through many memories of their childhood, and he notices how much she looks like their mother. At the end of the novel, he and Rahel have sex – though it happens so quickly and quietly that we barely notice it – and grieve together for all that they've lost.

Esthappen Timeline

  • Estha and the family drive out to see The Sound of Music.
  • Estha can't stop singing during the movie, so he has to go out into the lobby where he can sing to his heart's content.
  • The Orangedrink Lemondrink Man at the movie theater molests him.
  • Estha blames himself. He starts worrying and feels nauseous. He realizes the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man knows where he lives and can come find him anytime.
  • At the airport, Estha refuses to speak when he is introduced to Sophie Mol and Margaret Kochamma.
  • When they get home, Estha leaves his family behind and goes into the factory, where he thinks Two Thoughts: "Anything can happen to anyone" and "It's best to be prepared."
  • Estha decides he needs a boat.
  • Estha and Rahel find a boat and go to visit Velutha.
  • Estha, Rahel, and Sophie Mol take the boat out to run away across the river. The boat capsizes and the twins realize that Sophie has drowned.
  • They get to the History House and don't know that Velutha is there. The police come and beat Velutha violently.
  • Baby Kochamma tells Estha and Rahel that they are murderers and that Ammu will die in jail if they don't answer "yes" to the inspector's questions.
  • Estha goes with the inspector and sees the bloody, battered Velutha. He answers "yes" to the inspector's question.
  • Estha is sent back to Calcutta to live with Baba.
  • 23 years later, Estha comes back to Ayemenem. He has stopped speaking.
  • Estha follows Rahel to the kathakali performance. They walk home together.
  • Rahel and Estha lie in bed together. They have sex.
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FAQs on Esthappen - Characters, The God of Small Things - The God of Small Things- Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels

1. Who is Esthappen and what is his role in The God of Small Things?
Esthappen, also known as Estha, is one of the main characters in the novel The God of Small Things written by Arundhati Roy. He is the twin brother of Rahel and plays a significant role in the story. Esthappen represents innocence and resilience in the face of adversity. He endures traumatic experiences during his childhood, including the death of his cousin Sophie Mol and the separation from his sister. Esthappen's character highlights the themes of loss, trauma, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences.
2. How does Esthappen's relationship with Rahel evolve throughout the novel?
Esthappen's relationship with his twin sister Rahel is complex and evolves throughout the novel The God of Small Things. In their childhood, they share a close bond and find solace in each other's company. However, after Sophie Mol's death and their separation, their relationship becomes strained. Esthappen becomes withdrawn and detached, while Rahel becomes rebellious. They eventually reunite as adults and try to rebuild their relationship, but the scars of their past experiences continue to affect their bond. The novel explores the themes of family, trauma, and the enduring connection between siblings.
3. How does Esthappen's traumatic childhood experiences impact his adult life?
Esthappen's traumatic childhood experiences have a profound impact on his adult life in The God of Small Things. The death of his cousin Sophie Mol and the subsequent events surrounding it shape his perception of the world and his place in it. Esthappen becomes detached, reserved, and struggles to form meaningful connections with others. He carries the weight of his past trauma, which affects his ability to trust and engage emotionally. The novel delves into the long-term consequences of childhood trauma and the struggle to find healing and redemption.
4. What are some symbolic elements associated with Esthappen's character in The God of Small Things?
Esthappen's character in The God of Small Things is rich in symbolic elements. One prominent symbol associated with him is the "Empty House" where he seeks refuge from the chaos and pain of his surroundings. The house represents his desire for solitude and escape from the harsh realities of life. Another symbol is the "Orangedrink Lemondrink Man," a figure from his childhood who represents a sense of nostalgia and innocence. The novel utilizes these symbols to deepen the readers' understanding of Esthappen's character and his journey.
5. How does Esthappen's character contribute to the overall themes of the novel?
Esthappen's character in The God of Small Things contributes to the exploration of various themes in the novel. His experiences highlight the themes of loss, trauma, and the lasting impact of childhood events. Esthappen's resilience in the face of adversity and his struggle to find a sense of belonging add depth to the themes of identity and family. Furthermore, his relationship with his twin sister Rahel explores the complexities of sibling bonds and the effects of shared trauma. Esthappen's character serves as a vehicle to examine these themes and shed light on the larger social and cultural issues depicted in the novel.
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