Various themes in “ The White Tiger” by Arvind Adiga

Prepared by: Sejal ChauhanDepartment of English,

M.K.Bhavnagar University

The opening chapter establishes the theme of identity

The novel explores how identity is malleable enough that one can construct one’s own selfhood

Balram prides himself on being a “self taught” entrepreneur

At first he is nameless known simply as Munna

Later he passively accepts the name Balram

Inspector dubs him the “White Tiger”

He accepts this name because it allows him to define himself.

Play a very vital role in Indian Society as well as the novel.

Dowry

Save reputation and marriage

Balram’s cousin’s wedding is not the only marriage that disrupts Balram’s life.

Pinky Madam and Mr.Ashok.

In an interview with The Guardian, Adiga emphasizes the importance of family in Indian Society.

“ If you’re rude to your mother in India. It’s a crime as bad as stealing would be here”.

He explain, for Balram to abandon his family.

His crime. “ This is a shameful and dislocating thing for an Indian to do”.

Adiga remarks his protagonist.

Beginning of the novel

Balram mention that China is the only nation he admires besides Afghanistan and Abyssinia.

Why?

Because g he read a book called ‘Exciting Tales of the Exotic East’.

These are the only three countries never to be ruled by outsiders.

He dubs China the “ freedom loving nation”.

A place that has never been subject to a master slave relationship with the west.

He observes that China does not have entrepreneurs.

Hence the premier’s visit to Bangalore.

China , then becomes a foil to India.

Which he describe as a nation with “ no drinking water, electricity sewage, public transportation………….” for chock full of entrepreneurs.

For this reason Balram tell the premier his story,

believing that China and India are destined to become the next great superpowers.

“ In 20 years time it will just be us brown and yellow men at the top of the pyramid, and we’ll rule the whole world”.

Duality of light and dark.

Light then becomes a multifaceted symbol of time, wealth, location and obligation.

While Darkness represent the past, poverty, rural India and most importantly loyality to family and master.

The white Tiger takes place in a time in which increased technology has led to world globalization and India is no exception.

In India has played its role in the plot

Since it provides an outlet for Balram to alter his caste

To satisfy Pinky’s want for American culture

Globalization has assisted in the creation of an American atmosphere in India

Balram’s taxi service is not an international businesss

He plans to keep up with the pace of globalization and changed his trade when need be

“ I’m always a man who sees tomorrow’ when others see ‘today’ “

Balram’s recognition of the increasing competition resulting from globalization contributes to his corruption

Throughout the book there are references to how Balram is very different from those back in his home environment

He is referred to as the ‘white tiger’

A white tiger symbolizes power in East Asian Cultures, such as in Vietnam

It is also a symbol for freedom and individuality

‘ The white Tiger’ was a book about a man’s quest for freedom

Balram protagonist of the novel

Worked his way out of his low social caste

In the book, Balram talks about how he was in a rooster coop and how he broke free from his coop

His journey to finding his freedom in India’s modern day capitalist society

Beginning of the novel

Balram cites a poem from the Muslim poet Iqbal

Where he talks about slaves and says

“ They remain slaves because they can’t see what is beautiful in this world.”

Finding his freedom

Balram was born to the low caste in India

He was exposed into a lot of corruption and immoral behavior

For example

The shopkeeper selling his employees votes to the Great Socialist during election time

The White Tiger is the discussion of the India Caste System

Higher and lower social classes

The caste system still remains in rural India

A person is born into a caste and the caste one belongs in determines his or her occupation

Balram gives his own breakdown of the caste system in India, describing that it was a

“……… clean, well kept orderly zoo.”

Balram was born into the Halwai caste meaning “ sweet maker”

Adiga brings awareness to the corrupt India caste system by having Balram work

Balram’s quest to becoming an entrepreneur shows the oppression of the lower caste system and the superiority of the upper caste

He tells the story of how India still has a caste system and political and economic corruption is still present

A struggle between good and evil

Human beings have this choice

They can live their life in a good and noble way or in a evil and ignoble way

Balram Halwai also hangs between good and evil

His family overcome by the devil

Balram Halwai’s “ Macbethian “ ambition to live like a king

Master leads him to be a cold blooded murderer

His father’s ambition

These themes battle each other throughout the novel