Seth delves deep into the complexities of arranged marriages in 1950s India. Lata's journey becomes a reflection of the societal pressures placed upon young women, highlighting the tension between familial duty and personal desire. While her mother orchestrates a parade of eligible suitors, each embodying a different facet of 'suitability,' Lata grapples with her own burgeoning feelings, questioning the very foundation of arranged marriage and its place in a rapidly modernizing India.

Beyond the microcosm of Lata's life, the novel explores a nation grappling with its newfound independence. India's political landscape, still raw from the scars of partition, becomes a powerful backdrop, reflecting the characters' own struggles with identity, tradition, and progress. Seth masterfully interweaves political intrigue with personal narratives, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual lives and the nation's destiny.

A Suitable Boy is, at its core, a story about human relationships. Through the intertwined lives of its characters, the novel explores the different facets of love – romantic, familial, and platonic. Seth doesn't shy away from portraying the complexities of these relationships, delving into themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and sacrifice, ultimately painting a nuanced and deeply human picture of life in post-independence India.