Poverty and Social Marginalization

The book portrays the crushing effects of urban poverty, as the protagonist is systematically excluded from society, humiliated by his inability to pay rent or buy food, and reduced to pawning his belongings and begging.

His inability to pay rent, rejection from jobs, and shabby appearance highlight his marginal position in society.

The narrator lives in a poor lodging-house, observes poor children playing, and is treated with contempt by the landlady.