An ecocritical reading of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things will bring out the connections between humans and their surroundings. It is aimed at examining critically the portrayal by Roy of nature as a living entity that affects the lives of the characters as opposed to just being a backdrop. Set in the picturesque landscape of Kerala, the story captures the dual nature of the environment as nurturing and destructive, a reflection of the intricacies of social reality and human life. Roy illustrates nature’s active role in the story through its symbolic elements such as the Meenachal River, the Ayemenem landscape, and the tropical setting, which affect relationships, memories, and human development. Using eco-critical theory, the paper studies the relations of Rahel, Estha, Ammu and Velutha with nature, where the natural world provides comfort, freedom, resistance and healing and at the same time shows the effect of social oppression, caste discrimination and patriarchal domination. It argues that Roy challenges the dichotomy between humanity and nature, presenting them as interconnected and interdependent.

Besides social consciousness, the study promotes the development of ecological sensitivity among readers and appreciation of the intrinsic value of the natural environment. Nature symbolizes resilience, emotional solace, and the silent battle against the inflexibility of social structures and reiterates the novel’s primary themes of love, grief, identity, and freedom. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that strengthening the human-nature connection is critical in fostering environmental sustainability and peaceful coexistence.