Pappachi’s Moth

By Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author, activist, and political commentator best known for her debut novel, “The God of Small Things,” which won the Booker Prize in 1997. Her writing often explores themes of social injustice, political unrest, and human rights, and she is known for her outspoken views on issues like environmentalism, poverty, and global politics. Alongside her literary work, Roy has written numerous essays and works of non-fiction, making her a prominent voice in both literature and activism.

“Pappachi’s Moth” is a story within “The God of Small Things.” It centers around the character Pappachi, an entomologist who discovers a rare moth species but does not receive credit for it. This perceived injustice becomes a source of lifelong bitterness for him, affecting his relationships, especially with his family. The moth symbolizes his frustration and the lingering resentment that shapes his actions, casting a shadow over his family’s lives and contributing to the novel’s broader themes of pride, loss, and the impact of unresolved grievances.

Q: Comment on the relationship shared by Mammachi and Pappachi?

Ans. Mammachi and Pappachi share a complex and troubled relationship. Pappachi, whose pride is wounded by his lack of recognition in his career, often takes out his frustrations on Mammachi. He is physically and emotionally abusive, beating her regularly. Despite this, Mammachi endures the abuse with resilience, continuing to play her role as a devoted wife. The relationship is marked by Pappachi’s insecurity and jealousy, especially when Mammachi becomes successful in her pickle-making business. Mammachi’s silent endurance of Pappachi’s cruelty reflects the deep-seated patriarchal norms and gender inequalities in their society.

Q: How does Mammachi stand out as an independent and resilient woman in the text?

Ans. Mammachi stands out as an independent and resilient woman through her successful pickle-making business, which she started after Pappachi’s retirement. Despite the abuse she endures from Pappachi, Mammachi’s entrepreneurial spirit shines, and she becomes financially independent, earning respect in her community. Her resilience is further demonstrated by her ability to continue her work and maintain her dignity, even when faced with Pappachi’s attempts to undermine her achievements.

Q: Why does John Ipe consider retirement to be a dishonor?

Ans. John Ipe, known as Pappachi, considers retirement to be a dishonor because it symbolizes the end of his career and, in his eyes, a loss of purpose and status. He was denied recognition for his scientific discovery, which fuelled his bitterness and sense of failure. Retirement, for him, is a forced acknowledgment of his unfulfilled ambitions and the loss of his professional identity, which he deeply resents.

Q: What was the underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world?

Ans. The underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world is his deep-seated bitterness over the lack of recognition for his scientific work. He discovered a new species of moth, but the credit was never given to him, which left him feeling cheated and embittered. This personal failure fuels his abusive behavior and his overall disdain for those around him, especially as he sees his wife succeeding where he feels he failed.

Q: Discuss Chacko’s firmness in dealing with the irrational behavior of his father.

Ans. Chacko demonstrates firmness and a protective nature when dealing with Pappachi’s irrational behavior. Unlike Mammachi, who passively endures the abuse, Chacko intervenes to protect his mother, asserting his authority and physically stopping Pappachi from beating her. This moment marks a shift in the family dynamics, as Chacko takes on a more dominant role, effectively curbing Pappachi’s abusive tendencies.

Q: Contrast between the outward elegance of a person and his private behavior.

Ans. Pappachi embodies the contrast between outward elegance and private behavior. To the outside world, he presents himself as a distinguished and respected gentleman, but in private, he is a tyrannical and abusive husband. This duality highlights the theme of hypocrisy, where societal appearances mask the true nature of individuals, revealing the dark side of human behavior that remains hidden behind a facade of respectability.

Q: Which is more important-approval from the outside world or approval within the family?

Ans. In the story, the approval from the outside world often contrasts sharply with the approval within the family. Pappachi, who is concerned with his public image and external validation, fails to gain the respect and love of his family. In contrast, Mammachi, who is belittled by Pappachi, earns respect within her family, particularly from Chacko, for her resilience and success. This contrast underscores the idea that true approval and respect are earned through personal relationships rather than societal recognition.

Q: How does the author succeed in raising crucial social issues not through open criticism but through subtle suggestions?

Ans. Arundhati Roy raises crucial social issues such as domestic abuse, gender inequality, and the hypocrisy of societal norms through subtle suggestions rather than open criticism. By depicting the relationship between Pappachi and Mammachi, the author highlights the entrenched patriarchy and the silent suffering of women like Mammachi. The narrative does not directly criticize these issues but instead allows the reader to infer the underlying social commentary through the character’s actions and experiences.

Q: Within a few pages the author has packed the important events in the lives of John Ipe and his wife. Discuss how conciseness and economy of expression can achieve effective portrayal of entire lives.

Ans. The author’s use of conciseness and economy of expression effectively portrays the entire lives of John Ipe and Mammachi within a few pages. By focusing on key moments and interactions, Roy provides a deep insight into their characters, relationships, and the impact of their actions on the family. The brevity of the narrative enhances its emotional impact, leaving the reader with a vivid impression of the character’s struggles and the social issues they represent.

Q: Identify the instances of ironical comments in the story.

Ans. Irony is prevalent in the story, particularly in the contrast between Pappachi’s perceived status and his actual behavior. Despite his outward appearance of being a distinguished entomologist, his greatest discovery-the moth-is ironically the source of his deepest disappointment, as he receives no recognition for it. Another instance of irony is how Pappachi’s pride in his academic accomplishments is undermined by his failure to gain respect within his own family, highlighting the futility of his obsession with external validation.