Wilkes County Blog

The White Tiger  focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the main character Balram, from childhood to adulthood, as he struggles to overcome his place in society.  In India, people are born into a caste system that denotes what you will do, can do, allowed to do . . . all based on your family’s name.  There is not freedom to make a life of your hopes and dreams with this system of classification.    

Adiga’s book carries readers into the world of lower class India, the lowest of the low, through the eyes and actions of Balram Halwai. Balram, servant/chauffeur to a wealthy businessman, tells his story in a series of letters. Throughout he makes comparisons between the affluent and misfortunate classes of society, while elaborating on the desire to climb out of “the darkness” (slums) and become a rich entrepreneur. Balram writes to China’s Premier, who plans a visit Bangalore.  The Premier wants to meet with successful business owners to learn how China can improve on their own culture of entrepreneurship. It is obvious Balram admires China's industrialized success when he asks the Premier how to beat poverty and corruption. Balram's story is to explain his motive, while justifying the deadly deed of killing his master and stealing money he needs to begin a new life.

Caught in a trap, so to say, Balram can never earn enough to run his own chauffeur company and will always be a subservient driver for the rich. I think he compares himself to a “white tiger” because they are so rare and despite of the rat race and societal caste he and his peers belong to, he knows he will one day rise above.

Balram contemplates violence, something he will resort to in order break free of his confining life. One scene (*spoiler alert*) is a turning point in development of Balram’s moral judgment. His mistress insists on driving after a night on the town, and his master indulges her against Balram's better judgment (which he knows he cannot voice). This decision becomes tragic when an innocent child becomes victim of a hit-and-run. The scene reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Balram understands that blame for the accident is his fate. He sees how lighthearted his master is about the tragedy, and this is a defining moment in Balram's mind. His idea of murderous fantasy becomes a reality.

Balram described Indians as being honest … that everyday servants were trusted with large sums of money, and responsible to care for children of their masters. Yet, traits of corruption and greed define those in power. Two extremes and the question of why so honest … obviously, survival instincts fueled by fear. Balram remains haunted by his own transgression. Maybe his honesty and admiration of the Premier played into reason for his confession and need to unload his conscience.

The White Tiger awakened controversy in India by exposing an unjust society of servitude and corruption.  When interviewed by Stuart Jeffries of “The Guardian”, Adiga says he wanted to uncover India’s dark side in hope to spark change. 

Other notable authors that share a birthday with Aravind Adiga include Michael Crichton and Albert Stifter.