A House for Mr Biswas | Social Concerns & Themes

A House for Mr Biswas Social Concerns/Themes

While there is much humor in A House for Mr Biswas, the dominant tone of the novel is melodramatic, even tragic. The novel presents the struggle for identity for an Indian in Trinidad whose agrarian values are challenged by Western cultural influences when he moves to the city. Mohun Biswas must reconcile the apparently contradictory values and traditions of East and West, and forge an authentic self in relation to both family and society. This quest is not simply a recognition of some inner traits, but rather the gradual unfolding of choices made within the context of new situations, restraints, and sources of fulfillment. Mohun's journey is from an agrarian village ruled by the whimsies of a Hindu pundit to the towns of Trinidad and finally to Port of Spain. During the course of this journey he becomes a herder, acolyte to a pundit, sign painter, store owner, overseer, welfare...
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