PowerPoint-Pr

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A Novel as a Window to India Rohinton Mistrys
A Fine Balance and the Description of Working
Conditions
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Table of Contents

1. Rohinton Mistry the Author
2. Historical Background of the Novel
3. What A Fine Balance is about
4. Two Professions of the Book in profile

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Rohinton Mistry

• Birth 3rd July 1952 in Bombay
• Graduated in Mathematics and Economics
• Left India in 1975 gt moved to Toronto (CAN) with
  his wife
• Started Studying English and Philosophy at
  University of Canada
• Published first collection of short stories in
  1987
• Published A Fine Balance in 1995 and won a lot
  of prizes
• Now lives in Brampton, Ontario

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Historical Background of the Novel

• many people claim the election procedure was
  faked and they want Indira Gandhi to step back of
  her powers
• 26th June 1975 Indira Gandhi declares the State
  of internal emergency for keeping her and the
  governmental position
• state ended on 21st March 1977
• many things are out of order in India
• situation of the whole country and especially in
  the bigger cities is very vague

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What A Fine Balance is about

• four very different characters Dina Dalahl,
  Ishvar, Omprakash, Maneck
• M., I. and O. meet in the train, find out that
  they are searching for the same address
• I. and O. have many bad experiences in their new
  hometown
• Dina gets problems as well. She employs the
  tailors in the second room of her private flat
  and one day two violent men employed by the
  landlord come to her house and destroy her flat.
• she cannot go to the police for help, because
  they couldn't or wouldn't do anything against it

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Beggarmaster a Profession in Profile

• many beggars in Bombay
• organised by the so-called beggarmaster
• sends his beggars on the street to earn money
• organizes who sits, stands or lies where
• collects the money from the beggars
• protects them
• dangerous life because of criminality, corruption

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Manager of Au Revoir Exports

• Member of top-earner-group in the Indian society
• Company delivers cloth and paper patterns to
  their contractors who employ tailors
• Only the sewed garments return to company
• Garments supplied to boutiques for womens
  fashion in Europe and America
• doesnt work in a real office
• She for herself doesnt understand anything of
  sewing
• earns a considerable amount of money gt spends a
  lot for her appearance
• She just gives the offers with the paper patterns
  and the cloth to her contractor following her
  principle