<P> Mohun Biswas is born in rural Trinidad to parents of Indian origin . His birth was considered inauspicious as he is born "in the wrong way" and with an extra finger . A pandit prophesies that the newborn child "will be a lecher and a spendthrift . Possibly a liar as well", and that he will "eat up his mother and father". The pandit advises that the boy be kept "away from trees and water . Particularly water". A few years later, Mohun leads a neighbour's calf, which he is tending, to a stream . The boy, who has never seen water "in its natural form", becomes distracted and allows the calf to wander off . Mohun then hides in fear of punishment . His father, believing his son to be in the water, drowns in an attempt to save him, thus in part fulfilling the pandit's prophecy . This leads to the dissolution of the family . Mohun's sister is sent to live with a wealthy aunt and uncle, Tara and Ajodha . Mohun, his mother, and two older brothers go to live with other relatives . </P> <P> The boy is withdrawn prematurely from school and apprenticed to a pandit, but is cast out on bad terms . Ajodha then puts him in the care of his alcoholic and abusive brother Bhandat, an arrangement which also ends badly . Finally, the young Mr Biswas decides to make his own fortune . He encounters a friend from his school days who helps him get into the business of sign - writing . While on the job, Mr Biswas attempts to romance a client's daughter but his advances are misinterpreted as a wedding proposal . He is drawn into a marriage which he does not have the nerve to stop and becomes a member of the Tulsi household . </P> <P> Mr Biswas becomes very unhappy with his wife Shama and her overbearing family . The Tulsis (and the big decaying house where they live) represent the communal way of life which is traditional throughout Africa and Asia . Mr Biswas is offered a place in this cosmos, a subordinate place to be sure, but a place that is guaranteed and from which advancement is possible . But Mr Biswas wants more . He is, by instinct, a modern man . He wants to be the author of his own life . That is an aspiration with which Tulsis cannot deal, and their decaying world conspires to drag him down . Despite his poor education, Mr Biswas becomes a journalist, has four children with Shama, and attempts several times to build a house that he can call his own, a house which will symbolize his independence . </P> <P> This novel is generally regarded as Naipaul's most significant work and is credited with launching him into international fame and renown . </P>

Significance of the title a house for mr biswas
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