GENDER FLUIDITY: A STUDY OF ROY’S THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS

Abstract

This work examined gender fluidity and sexuality in Roy’s The God of Small Things. This study employed a qualitative research design. This work was anchored on the Queer Theory Perspective. Data for the study were extracted from the text as responses to the research objectives. The choice of this text (The God of Small Things) was informed by a rich tapestry of diverse perspectives of the text, exploring the intersections of identity, power dynamics, and cultural norms across various cultural contexts, making it ideal for the study on gender fluidity. This work was a library-based research that adopted a detailed analysis of the novel which served as the primary source. Through a deep dive into the text, the work uncovered the nuances of gender identity and fluidity particularly for non-binary individuals in the selected text. Also, the critical literary analysis conducted showed similarities and differences in how societal expectations, cultural influences, and personal experiences shape characters’ perceptions of gender in the selected text which also confirmed the holistic understanding of the complex portrayal of gender fluidity in contemporary literature, while also acknowledging the subjective nature of interpretation and the importance of context in shaping meaning. From the analysis, the work concluded that gender fluidity is a complex and multifaceted constructs that shape the understanding of ourselves and our place in society as the rigid boundaries of traditional gender roles and expectations can be limiting and damaging, particularly for those who do not conform.