Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
V.S. Naipaul’s *A House for Mr. Biswas* is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the human desire for autonomy. Mohun Biswas, the protagonist, spends his life searching for a space – both physical and metaphorical – where he can truly exist as an individual. The sentence, “How terrible it would have been...to have lived and died as one had been born, unnecessary and unaccommodated,” is a pivotal moment of self-awareness for Biswas, revealing the depth of his fear of a life devoid of meaning and self-determination. It encapsulates his lifelong struggle against the forces that threaten to render him insignificant.
The Context of Existential Dread
The sentence arises during a moment of introspection for Biswas, reflecting on the precariousness of his existence and the potential for a life wasted within the suffocating confines of the Tulsi family. He recognizes the horror of being merely a passive recipient of fate, defined solely by his lineage and societal expectations. This fear isn’t simply about physical discomfort; it’s a profound existential anxiety about the meaninglessness of life if one lacks agency and a sense of self.
‘Unnecessary’ and the Search for Purpose
The word “unnecessary” is central to understanding Biswas’s troubled mind. He feels consistently superfluous, a burden on others, and lacking a defined role in the world. This feeling stems from his early life, marked by a sense of inadequacy and his father’s early death. He desperately seeks a purpose, initially through employment and later through the pursuit of his own house – a symbol of independence and self-worth. His repeated failures and disappointments only amplify this sense of being ‘unnecessary’.
‘Unaccommodated’ and the Struggle for Belonging
“Unaccommodated” highlights Biswas’s inability to find a place where he truly belongs. He is perpetually an outsider, never fully accepted by the Tulsi family despite his marriage to Shama. He attempts to integrate into various communities – as a reporter, a schoolteacher, and a sign painter – but always feels alienated and unable to establish lasting connections. This lack of accommodation extends beyond physical space; it represents his inability to find emotional and intellectual fulfillment.
The House as a Counter to the Sentence
Biswas’s relentless pursuit of a house can be interpreted as a direct response to this fear. The house represents a space where he can define himself on his own terms, free from the control of others. It’s a tangible manifestation of his desire to be ‘accommodated’ – not by others, but by himself. However, even the achievement of his dream house is bittersweet, as it comes late in life and is ultimately overshadowed by his illness and death.
The Broader Themes of Colonialism and Identity
The sentence also resonates with the broader themes of colonialism and identity in the novel. Biswas, as a descendant of indentured laborers in Trinidad, embodies the anxieties of a displaced population struggling to forge a new identity in a foreign land. His feeling of being ‘unnecessary’ can be seen as a reflection of the marginalization and dispossession experienced by many postcolonial subjects. He is caught between cultures, belonging fully to neither.
Biswas’s Internal Conflict
Throughout the novel, Biswas is torn between a desire for independence and a need for security. He craves autonomy but is also drawn to the comfort and stability offered by the Tulsi family. This internal conflict contributes to his perpetual dissatisfaction and reinforces his sense of being ‘unaccommodated’. The sentence reveals the culmination of this struggle, a moment of stark realization that his life could easily have been one of quiet desperation.
Conclusion
The quoted sentence serves as a powerful distillation of Mohun Biswas’s existential anxieties and his lifelong quest for self-definition. It reveals his profound fear of a life lived without purpose or belonging, a fear that drives his relentless pursuit of a house and a sense of individual identity. Ultimately, the sentence underscores the tragic irony of Biswas’s existence – a life spent striving for accommodation, yet perpetually haunted by the possibility of being ‘unnecessary and unaccommodated’.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.