Relapse

Just as my faith in Ammu had begun to grow back, she said to her children: "'Because of you!' Ammu screamed. 'If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here! None of this would have happened! I wouldn't be her! I would have been free! I should have dumped you in an orphanage the day you were born! You're the millstones round my neck!'" (239-240).

Although it is clear that she said these things out of anger, they are still completely horrible ideas to put into the heads of your children. Also, they are not true. It is not because of them that she is at this point in her life, it is because of her own choices (ie. choices to have sex and have children). Even if it was out of anger that she said this, I can't help but be persuaded that she never did and never will love her children. Why else would she say something so utterly ruthless to small and innocent children?

At this part in the novel, I am truly feeling so extremely mournful for the lives of Rahel and Estha. They are two innocent children forced to see and experience things they should not even dream of for years to come. Poor little Estha, being molested without his mother even knowing and then being made to feel unwanted, and Rahel, who also gets made to feel like a piece of trash at Ammus' and Baby Kochammas' feet. Ammu is so selfish that it is disgusting, only caring about herself, her happiness, and her own pleasure from beginning to end of this novel. I really do think she is a deplorable character. And then, in the end, the twins STILL find it in their hearts to try to save their mother whom, after all she has done to them, they still adore. This makes me sympathize with them even more and further asserts my dislike for Ammu.