Summary

In Chapter 3, the setting shifts back to the present day, at Ayemenem House. The house is dirty with neglect, as Baby Kochamma and Kochu Maria watch television. The title of the chapter refers to something an old coolie used to say to Estha and his schoolmates, regarding life goals, in English “Big Man the Lantern, Small Man the Tallow-stick.” It refers to the idea that the powerful always get the better things.

The rain stops, and Estha appears with his puppy. Baby Kochamma talks about him to Rahel as if Estha is deaf. Estha, as predicted by Baby Kochamma, goes straight to his room, and Rahel follows. His room, which used to be Ammu’s, is pristine, in contrast to the rest of the house. Rahel sees this as the one sign he has some purpose in life, but wonders if he’s...