Maneck-The End

I did not consider the last scene in A Fine Balance to be a positive or hopeful gathering. If anything, Dina’s return to her apartment and underground association with Om and Ishvar emphasized Maneck’s isolation and ultimate removal from the events. As a reader, I related most to Maneck’s middle-class, neutral (almost mute) tendencies. He entered the city with his parent’s guidance to study hard and remain true to an upbringing that taught him to accept everyone. In college, he became fast friends with Ashvar but never embraced either side (bully or activist) of the youth political movement. In Dina’s apartment, he was open in his friendships with Om and Ishvar while respectful to Dina. But his convictions remained tongue-tied outside of the apartment. At Nusswan’s he could only prompt the Nusswan’s rantings of eliminating the poverty problem and remained mute in developing a witty retort to Nusswan’s use of democratic eggs. Maneck continues to remain mute and increasingly depressed throughout the story. In fact, it’s a little odd to think Ishvar and Om are happier and more accepting of the constant setbacks; even Om lost a lot of his initial anger half-way through the book while Maneck continued to slide.
Maneck was the romantic, ideal character. By the end, his hopes and expectations (like mine as a reader) simply did not belong. His experiences in the city ruined his return home; life was no longer simple. And meeting Mr. Valmik again sealed Maneck’s fate for me. Once again, Valmik had adapted to the persuasive powers. He had moved from law, to publication, to politics, to religion. In each endeavor, Valmik’s “voice” was renewed. In contrast, Maneck’s ideals remained mute. The final scene after/during Maneck’s suicide was a continuation of the struggle Maneck never fully embraced.