An Examination of Family Bonds and Broken Relationships: A Study of Domestic Realism in Rohinton Mistry’s Family Matters

Abstract

This research paper discusses the theme of family responsibilities and family cohesiveness destruction at the domestic level in the third novel of Rohinton Mistry’s Family Matters. The plot of the story is a touching domestic realism, set in Bombay in the 20^th century. It shows how the Chenoy and Vakeel families are cut off by the mundane problems that are also highly dramatic. In this paper, it shall be contended that Mistry has used the physical and mental decadence of Nariman Vakeel to bring out how anger, religious bigotry and financial hardship keeps the Parsi family of the modern generation united. This paper also discusses the ways in which Mistry proves that home is not just a place of security but also a home where people have to answer ethical questions and feel guilty. It also dwells on how outside social influences, like the growing influence of the Hindutva politics and diminishing Parsi numbers, have influenced the lives of the main characters and made them less to blame. Finally, this research paper indicates that the reality presented by Mistry is how fragile the human ties are, yet on the other side, it also shows how strong the human spirit is revealed by demonstrating the family unit as having a fine balance of empathy and endurance.