THE
WHITE TIGER (Aravind Adiga)
The book “The White Tiger” written by
Aravind Adiga is the story of a man named Balram, who is the son of a rickshaw
puller, who lives in a small Indian village. He finds the destitution of his
family repulsive and decides to break away from it. He is constantly on the
lookout of opportunities that could alleviate his poverty. He learns how to
drive and manages a driver's job with the landlord of his village. Lady Luck
smiles upon him when Balram is asked to accompany the landlord's son to Delhi
as a driver. In Delhi, Balram learns the ways of the urban society. A keen
observer and a fast learner, Balram realizes very soon that a little dishonesty
can bring him enough money for a secure future. So he robs and murders his
employer and runs away to Bangalore with his loot and starts his own business
there. Years later, Balram is seen as an influential member of the Bangalore
power circle successfully steering his career from one height to another
The book is set in present day India.
The White Tiger brings to contrast the disparity between progressive Indian
cities and regressive Indian villages. It depicts the different faces of urban
and rural corruption, brings to light various cultural stigmas associated with
caste and religion, and is able to pin point multiple other societal malaises.
There is a lot of scope for social,cultural and economic improvement in Indian
villages, but I believe, in the same villages one would still find some school
masters that children can learn from, there would be some doctors who would
help the poor. Also, I know rich landed farmers who take good care of their
farm hands.
ARJUN SANTHOSH
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