Mohun Biswas struggles to secure a home of his own while navigating the suffocating influence of his wife's extended family. Born into a family of limited means and marked by an early tragedy, Mr. Biswas spends his life attempting to assert his identity against the crushing weight of tradition and poverty. He finds himself trapped within the Tulsi household, a sprawling, chaotic environment that demands total submission to its matriarchal structure. The narrative follows his decades-long pursuit of independence, utilizing a third-person perspective that balances irony with a detailed examination of his domestic failures and small victories. The world is defined by the rigid social hierarchies of the Indo-Trinidadian community and the physical instability of the various houses he inhabits.

Discussion often centers on the meticulous characterization of Mr. Biswas and the oppressive atmosphere created by the Tulsi family. Readers frequently highlight the balance between the protagonist's personal frustrations and the broader socio-political context of the setting. Critics often point to the prose as a significant example of mid-twentieth-century literary style, noting its ability to render mundane domestic life with profound significance. The narrative pacing is frequently described as deliberate, allowing for a deep immersion into the protagonist's psyche and his environment. Many readers appreciate the way the text avoids sentimentality while maintaining a clear focus on the human desire for autonomy.