The White Tiger Themes

1. Various themes in “ The White Tiger” by Arvind Adiga Prepared by: Sejal Chauhan Department of English, M.K.Bhavnagar University

2. Identity 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.

3. Marriage in India 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 .

4. The Indian Family 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.

5. China’s Relationship to India 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.

6. 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,

7. 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”.

8. Lightness and Darkness 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.

9. Globalization 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

10. 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

11. Individualism 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

12. Freedom ‘ 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

13. 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

14. Immoral Corruption 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

15. The Caste System 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.”

16. 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

17. Good vs Evil 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

18. Master leads him to be a cold blooded murderer His father’s ambition These themes battle each other throughout the novel