What is the theme in A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry?

The one thing the reader cannot ignore throughout the story is the display of poverty on many levels. It shows all different levels of poverty, from those who are struggling to get by to beggars to those who are employed, but still are under the poverty line, such as Ishvar and Om. The novel gives some insight into how those in poverty live and how something as simple as a lock of hair can give them so much pleasure. It shows the outrageous things people will do for money, such as have their limbs cut off, so that people will take pity on them and give them more alms. For middle-class readers living in the Western world, the reality of poverty in the lives of the characters makes them realize how lucky the readers are.