Voices from the Margins: Analysing Subaltern Narratives in Rohinton Mistrys: A Fine Balance

Abstract: This paper explores the representation of subaltern voices in Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, a novel set against the backdrop of India during the Emergency period of the 1970s. Through a close reading of the characters and their narratives, this study delves into the lived experiences of marginalized individuals—tailors, beggars, and outcasts—who are often silenced or rendered invisible in mainstream discourse. Drawing on the theoretical framework of subaltern studies, the paper examines how Mistry gives voice to these marginalized groups, highlighting their struggles for survival, dignity, and agency in a society marked by systemic oppression and social hierarchies. The analysis reveals how the novel not only critiques the socio-political landscape of the time but also engages with broader questions of power, identity, and resistance. By foregrounding the subaltern experience, A Fine Balance challenges the reader to confront the stark realities of inequality and the resilience of those who exist on the margins of society