Gender, Social Justice and Sustainable Futures: A Literary Examination of the God of Small Things

Abstract

The idea of sustainable development has increasingly been understood as a social and cultural process that needs fairness, justice, and inclusion rather than just being about the environment or economic concerns . Literature plays a significant role in shaping social awareness by giving voice to marginalised communities and interrogating structures of inequality. This paper examines the interaction of gender, caste, and social justice through a critical reading of The God of Small Things. The novel foregrounds entrenched caste hierarchies and patriarchal norms in the Indian context, illustrating how these structures marginalize women and socially disadvantaged groups. Through the experiences of characters such as Ammu and Velutha, the narrative exposes the consequences of transgressing rigid social boundaries. The study adopts qualitative interpretive approach, employing feminist and socio-cultural critical framework to analyse the text. Furthermore, the paper situates the narrative within the broader discourse of sustainable development by demonstrating that gender equality, social justice, and human dignity are essential to building inclusive and sustainable societies. The study contributes by linking literary critique with the discourse of sustainable development, showing how cultural narratives illuminate the ethical dimensions of inequality. Finally, the study underscores the role of literature in fostering critical consciousness and enabling more just and sustainable futures.