Symbolism in white tiger

The White Tiger written by Aravind Adiga

1. Symbolism The white tiger by Aravind Adiga

2. What is Symbolism ? Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify idea and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism means use of symbol like object, characters. Figures or colour to represent abstract ideas, concept or qualities”

3. The white Tiger The Darkness The Black Fort The Chandelier Honda Citizen The Rooster Coop Delhi City

4. The white Tiger Myth of Yin & Yang Symbol for rare talent Man VS Nature “You, young man, are an intelligent, honest, vivacious fellow in this crowd of thugs and idiots. In any jungle, what is the rarest of animals—the creature that comes along only once in a generation ?” “The white tiger .” “That’s what you are, in  this  jungle.”

5. The Darkness India is two countries in one.. “The ocean bring light to my country. Every place on the map of India near the ocean is well off. But (The Ganges) river brings darkness to India – the black river”

6. The Black Fort The Black fort stands on the crest of a hill overlooking the village, the Black fort is a symbol of the extreme poverty and Darkness and fear. The architectural centerpiece of Balram’s village. As a child he is afraid to go alone, but he conquers this fear as he gets order. It later becomes his sanctuary, where he goes to contemplate his misfortune. The Fort is located high on a hill, and as he looks down on his village, he vows to escape from the Rooster Coop and never to return

7. The Chandelier Symbol for light in darkness. It shows Balram’s struggle to get out from poverty and slavery. “It makes me happy to see a chandelier. Why not, I’m a free man; let me buy all the chandeliers I want.”

8. Honda City This is the more luxurious of the 2 cars owned by the Stork's family. When Balram is 1st hired as a driver, he is never allowed to drive this car. When he is promoted and able to drive the Honda, he feels like he has “made it” in life. Later in the story, Balram secretly takes the car out at night on his own, pretending to be wealthy.       

9. The Rooster Coop Symbol of Master-slave relationship. India’s poor people see one another crushed by the wealthy and powerful, defeated by the staggering inequality of Indian society, but are unable to escape the same fate. The Rooster Coop Balram describes is one that’s “guarded from the inside .” Balram believes that the traditional Indian family unit keeps the Rooster Coop of social inequality alive. If a servant attempts to escape or disobeys his employer, the superior’s family will punish the servant by murdering or brutally torturing  his  family. In this way, familial loyalty and love become weaknesses in the context of rooster coop logic.

10. Delhi City Symbol of Rich and Poor, Life. Environmental, Social , Cultural, Political and Moral drawbacks. Traffic Jam, Corruption and Pollution are such problems which are chiefly tackled by Adiga .

11. Lizard Symbol of Darkness, Fear and Phobia. Represent the fears, cultural values, superstitions that trapped Balram in the Darkness, many of which he seems to still fear hold him back. “Now, you may find it incredible that a boy in a village would be frightened of a lizard. Rats, snakes, monkeys, and mongooses don't bother me at all. On the contrary—I love animals. But lizards…each time I see one, no matter how tiny, it's as if I turn into a girl. My blood freezes.”

12. Works sited ( Kasbekar ) ( Virajee ) ( Scopa ) ( Lancy ) Google Image