Review of "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

The God of Small Things (Roy, 2009), was written 1997 and was the debut novel for Indian writer Arundhati Roy. It's the story about the childhood experiences of the fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, whose lives were greatly affected by the “love Laws”. The book explores how the small things affect its characters and India post-colonialism. In the novel, Shri Benaan John Ipe (Pappachi)’s life “greatest setback was not having had the moth that he had discovered named after him” (Roy, pg 49). Pappachi throughout his life had long for fame and money, and one day he finally discovers what he believes to be a yet-undiscovered species of moth. However, to his disappointment, he was told that his moth was just a slightly mutated species of a well-known species of moth. 12 years later, lepidopterists decide that Pappachi’s moth was, in fact, a separate species of moth, but they don’t name it after Pappachi, instead of honoring the director of the Department of Entomology, whom Pappachi has always disliked. This small thing tormented him, haunts his children and wife. This moth is used as a symbol of fear throughout the novel, and the main drive for Pappachi’s jealousy towards his wife’s success. It also affects his children as the moth is used by Roy to represent Rahel’s failure and the fear that continuously haunts her. I have chosen to write a magazine article from National Geographic, that may have been written about the formal discovery and naming of the moth, tormented Pappachi and his family. In the article, I have imitated a scientific magazine article; such as National Geographic's structure and format and written about the discovery and naming of Pappachi's moth. Scientific articles require factual and accurate present action of their topic and include quotes from experts and scientific data to establish my perspective.

New Moth Discovered In India for the first time in 12 Years. A revolutionary discovery that could change the view of the well-known family of Lymantriidae. Meet the Tussock Moth, now categorized as a new species. Photograph by Donald W. HallBy: Ivor WongPublished September 22nd, 1954After a radical taxonomic reshuffle, lepidopterists in India have made an unexpected discovery: what original thought was an unusual mutation of a common species, is actually an entirely new organism evolved from years of natural selection. The new species are mainly concentrated in India, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. A group of five lepidopterists in India has named the new month after their director of the Department of Entomology, Mr.Tussock. It is the first new species of moth discovered in 12 years, and the research is now published in the Journal of the Tussock.12 years ago, Tussock Smith was going through old records and the collection at the Pusa Institute. When Smith looks through the files, he saw something "didn't look right."The specimen Lymantriidae, now known as the Tussock moth had "unusually dense dorsal tufts." and was larger overall. Many of the Tussock moths have urticating hairs, often hidden among the longer softer tufts, which can cause intense pain reactions if it comes into contact with skin, it also used as a defensive mechanism for protecting them from predators. Immediately after the discovery, Smith called upon his colleagues and other lepidopterists from other institutions to assist him in seeing if this development is correct.

Chris Johnson took the sample back to the United States of America and tested it's DNA. Finding that, it had an original and unusual DNA structure, characteristics and behavior than different moth species. Johnson was thrilled with the discovery and said "This Tussock moth is an extraordinary development. As it’s, DNA structure reveals, it had mutated and evolved from it through years of natural selection. Compared to it relatives found in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, the Tussock moth has more hair and now grown larger to adapt to the harsh environment and climate of India. It is a classic example of the process of evolutionary adaptation!" The species have been hiding behind dusty records for 12 years; the team discovered it masquerading as its relatives when it is, in fact, something extraordinary on its own."To me, it is a monumental discovery for my career and such an honor to have a species name after myself.” remarked professor Smith. “It was surprising to me that seemly no one has noticed it before. It was recorded 12 years ago when one of senior and I ran across this unusual moth, that we believed to be a new yet to be discovered species.

However much to our disappointment, back then it was identified as a slight mutation of the tropical family Lymantriidae. Fortunately that my discovery was not wasted, and I am sure my senior is very proud as well." said Director of the Entomology. Lymantriidae, are a subfamily of moths of the Erebidae family. They generally go through the several stages of evolution, from being larvae, cocoons and finally into an adult moth. A typical newly hatched Tussock Larvae are tiny about 1-1.5 inches in length. As they grow older, they start to develop different tufts of pencils of setae that extends forwards; they can be dark grey, light grey to light yellow.

All three forms of Tussock Larvae Photograph by Lyle Buss Once it is mature enough, it will readily spin cocoons. It is composed of silk, and it's many setae from their bodies. It is normally in reddish-brown, and female pupae are commonly larger than male pupae. They are often found in well hidden and protected places, under tree cavities, hidden among the tall grass, undersides of limbs, or even underneath buildings. In its adulthood it is dimorphic. Males are smaller, comparatively dull in color as opposed to its female counterparts. During its leisure time, they hold their front legs in an outstretched position; this is referred to as the Oriya.

Males are often difficult to distinguish from females as there are only small differences such as slight purplish tint and white spots on its back to tell the two apart. Females are wingless or brachypterous but unable to fly and plump and round shaped, approximately 0.4 inches long, covered what a compact, beautiful brown tufts. On the other hand, males are winged, about 1.1 inches long. Their forewings have a publish tint with a dark brownish color, while the hindwings are in a bright orange color sometimes with a dark brown or black. The antennae are usually described as being "feather-like".Prediction is rare for this species as they have unusually dense dorsal tufts that even most birds avoid that as prey. Its main predator is the parasitic small black Braconid wasp their eggs hatch and feeds off the caterpillar, ultimately killing it in the process. Moths are especially quick to react to climate changes, therefore monitoring this new species might provide new insight on the problem, Tussock adds.