Page 138 - DENG503_INDIAN_WRITINGS_IN_LITERATURE

Indian Writings in Literature

Notes 17.1 Themes

Globalization
The White Tiger takes place in the modern day world where increased technology has led to
world globalization, and India is no exception. In the past decade, India has had one of the fastest
booming economies. Specifically Americanization 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,
Ashok, Pinky, and Balram simply move to Gurgaon instead of back to America. Globalization has
assisted in the creation of an American atmosphere in India. Ashok justifies this move by explaining
“Today it’s the modernist suburb of Delhi. American Express, Microsoft, all the big American
companies have offices there. The main road is full of shopping malls—each mall has a cinema
inside! So if Pinky Madam missed America, this was the best place to bring her”. By blackmailing
Ram Parsad, the other driver, Balram is promoted and drives Ashok and Pinky to their new home.
Ashok is even convinced India is surpassing the USA, “There are so many more things I could do
here than in New York now...The way things are changing in India now, this place is going to be
like America in ten years”. Balram is noticing the rapid growth as well. From the beginning of his
story he knows that in order to rise above his caste he should become an entrepreneur. Although
his taxi service is not an international business, Balram plans to keep up with the pace of
globalization and change 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.
Individualism

A white tiger symbolizes power and majesty in East Asian cultures, such as in China and Japan. It

is also a symbol for individualism and uniqueness. Balram is seen as different from those he grew
up with. He is the one who got out of the “Darkness” and found his way into the “Light”.

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” (which
also happens to be the title of the book).

Freedom
In an interview with Aravind Adiga, he talked about how “The White Tiger” was a book about a

man’s quest for freedom. Balram, the protagonist in the novel, worked his way out of his low
social caste (often referred to as “the Darkness”) and overcame the social obstacles that limited his
family in the past. Climbing up the social ladder, Balram sheds the weights and limits of his past
and overcomes the social obstacles that keep him from living life to the fullest that he can. In the
book, Balram talks about how he was in a rooster coop and how he broke free from his coop. The
novel is somewhat of a memoir of his journey to finding his freedom in India’s modern day
capitalist society. Towards the 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.” Balram sees himself embodying the poem and being the one who sees the
world and takes it as he rises through the ranks of society, and in doing so finding his freedom.
Immoral corruption
Balram is from a low caste in India where he grew up with barely anything. As a child, Balram
was seen as an intelligent and honest fellow in a crowd of thugs. He was a pure soul and was

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