1. A Novel as a Window to India: „Rohinton Mistry‘s A Fine Balance and the Description of Working Conditions“

2. 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

3. Rohinton Mistry Birth: 3rd July 1952 in Bombay Graduated in Mathematics and Economics Left India in 1975 => 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

4. 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 21 st March 1977 many things are out of order in India situation of the whole country and especially in the bigger cities is very vague

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 women’s fashion in Europe and America doesn’t work in a real office She for herself doesn’t understand anything of sewing earns a considerable amount of money => spends a lot for her appearance She just gives the offers with the paper patterns and the cloth to her contractor following her principle