Page 158 - DENG503_INDIAN_WRITINGS_IN_LITERATURE

Indian Writings in Literature

Notes drawn. It is full of barbed wit, if not — and not trying to be, so far as I can tell — actually
funny. It won’t win any prizes for subtlety. But it hasn’t been nominated for one of those.”
• “Balram’s cynical, gleeful voice captures modern India: no nostalgic lyricism here, only
exuberant reality.”
• “The White Tiger resembles the stories in Murder Weekly. It is quick, entertaining and full of
vividly drawn types: the scheming servant, the corrupt businessman, the spoilt wife. Its lack
of subtlety can be wearying, as can its cynicism. But it is a useful counter to optimistic tales
of India’s roaring economy.”
• “Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger is one of the most powerful books I’ve read in decades. No
hyperbole. This debut novel from an Indian journalist living in Mumbai hit me like a kick to
the head (.....) This is an amazing and angry novel about injustice and power”
• “Does The White Tiger live up to its own ambitions ? Sort of. There comes a moment in this
book where the narrative has a real chance to leave behind the pop and fluff of The Nanny
Diaries irony and achieve a deep Orwellian insight. (...) Yes, it’s fresh, funny, different, and
it will please those looking for insights into contemporary India, but The White Tiger offers
something less than it might have achieved.”
• Sold in sixteen countries around the world, The White Tiger recalls The Death of Vishnu and
Bangkok 8 in ambition, scope, and narrative genius, with a mischief and personality all its
own. Amoral, irreverent, deeply endearing, and utterly contemporary, this novel is an
international publishing sensation — and a startling, provocative debut.
• In total, the book maps the bundle of contradictions that make India what it is - an ancient
land coming to terms with democracy and globalization.

19.3 Key-Words

1. Emancipation : Freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's
relinquishing authority and control over a minor child.

2. Depicts : Show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form, portray in
words; describe.

19.4 Review Questions

1. What view of India could Pinky Madam give with regards to gender, cultural differences to the
West and differences in society?
2. The author chose to tell the story from the provocative point of view of an exceedingly charming,
egotistical admitted murderer. Do Balram's ambition and charisma make his vision clearer?
More vivid? Did he win you over?
3. Why does Balram choose to address the Premier? What motivates him to tell his story? What
similarities does he see between himself and the Premier?
4. Because of his lack of education, Ashok calls Balram "half-baked." What does he mean by this?
How does Balram go about educating himself? What does he learn?
5. What's is the significance of the quote?
6. Describe Adiga's writing style in The White Tiger.
7. Which symbols support one of the central themes in The White Tiger? Why/how?

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