The White Tiger Questions and Answers
The White Tiger
Who is the Great Socialist in The White Tiger?
In The White Tiger, the Great Socialist is a powerful local politician. Despite his claims to be a voice for the poor and downtrodden, the Great Socialist is actually a corrupt, disreputable...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, why does Balram murder Mr. Ashok?
In The White Tiger, the real reason why Balram murders Mr. Ashok is to escape from what he calls the "Rooster Coop." This is his metaphor for the oppressive situation in which poor Indians like...
The White Tiger
Analysis of Characterization, Style, Themes, and Symbols in The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga employs a satirical writing style to critique Indian society, using dark humor and irony to explore themes like corruption, class conflict, and the caste system....
The White Tiger
Why is The White Tiger structured as a letter to Premier Jiabao?
The White Tiger is structured as a letter to Premier Wen Jiabao because the man in charge of China wants to know the truth about Bangalore, and Balram, who writes the letter, intends to tell it to...
The White Tiger
Why is Balram Halwai called a "white tiger" and how does he embody this title?
Balram Halwai is called a "white tiger" because he is seen as a rare individual who stands out due to his intelligence and vivacity, qualities recognized during an inspector's visit to his school. As...
The White Tiger
Is Balram in The White Tiger a reliable narrator and a realistic character?
Balram in The White Tiger is not entirely reliable as a narrator due to his anti-hero nature and morally dubious actions, making him sometimes dishonest. However, he offers a realistic portrayal of...
The White Tiger
What is the economic status of Balram's family in The White Tiger?
In The White Tiger, Balram's family is poor and on one of the lower rungs of the social ladder. Balram's father is a rickshaw driver, and his family is oppressed by landlords. Balram himself must...
The White Tiger
Does The White Tiger highlight social evils in India?
Yes, The White Tiger highlights social evils in India through Balram's narrative. The novel illustrates domination, control, and lack of unity, rural poverty, pollution, social and political...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, does Balram's father's wish for his son to live "like a man" come true by the novel's end?
By the end of The White Tiger, Balram fulfills his father's wish to "live like a man" by carving his own path and gaining independence. He escapes his impoverished life through education, choosing...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, how does each setting -- the village, Dhanbad, Delhi, Bangalore -- develop character and theme?
In "The White Tiger," each setting develops character and theme by representing different aspects of modern India. The village of Laxmangarh symbolizes traditional India and Balram's rejection of...
The White Tiger
Why is Gandhi referenced in The White Tiger and what might he think of Balram's actions?
Gandhi's reference in "The White Tiger" highlights the irony between his ideals and modern India's corruption. The billboard featuring Gandhi contrasts his vision of a liberated, honest India with...
The White Tiger
What does Balram mean when he says he's India's most faithful voter, yet he's never voted?
Balram's claim of being India's most faithful voter, despite never having voted, highlights the corruption in Indian democracy. He sarcastically comments on how his vote, along with many others, is...
The White Tiger
How does Balram justify his master's murder despite endangering his family in The White Tiger?
Balram justifies murdering his master by emphasizing his desire for freedom and humanity beyond India's restrictive caste system. He fears that not committing the murder would mean losing his nerve...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, how does Balram characterize entrepreneurship opportunities in Bangalore?
Balram characterizes entrepreneurship opportunities in Bangalore as vibrant and expansive, offering a stark contrast to the limited choices available in his rural hometown. He views Bangalore as a...
The White Tiger
Discuss the merits of the thesis that corruption is inescapable in modern India in Adiga's The White Tiger.
Aravind Adiga's novel The White Tiger is a commentary on modern India and her society. It shows the underbelly of corruption that reflects in India's political and social scenario. The protagonist...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, how are the major conflicts faced by main characters resolved?
The major conflicts in "The White Tiger" are resolved through morally complex decisions driven by corruption. When Pinky Madam accidentally kills a boy, Mr. Ashok covers it up by bribing Balram, who...
The White Tiger
Balram's Fulfillment of His Father's Wish to "Live Like a Man" in The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, Balram's journey reflects a complex fulfillment of his father's wish to "live like a man." While he gains personal freedom and financial independence through immoral actions, such...
The White Tiger
What are some ways Balram believes he is living like a man, and why might his behavior be considered immoral?
Balram believes he is "living like a man" by taking control of his life and breaking free from servitude, which he achieves by murdering his employer, Mr. Ashok. This act allows him to escape poverty...
The White Tiger
Discuss the postcolonial darkness in the novel The White Tiger.
The postcolonial darkness can be seen in The White Tiger through the vast wealth differences in India and through what a person must do to move up the socioeconomic ladder.
The White Tiger
Are most characters in The White Tiger stereotypes rather than complex, "real" characters?
Most characters in The White Tiger are portrayed as stereotypes rather than complex, realistic individuals. The novel uses these characters to highlight social and political issues in modern India,...
The White Tiger
What traits of rural India are highlighted in The White Tiger?
The novel highlights rural India's poverty and entrenched caste system, where social status and life choices are determined by birth. It portrays a pessimistic view, suggesting that education and...
The White Tiger
In The White Tiger, what is Balram's definition of success?
Balram's definition of success is to have the freedom and finances to be his own independent man.
The White Tiger
Was Balram's murder of his master spontaneous or due to more complex reasons?
Balram's murder of his master in The White Tiger was driven by complex reasons rather than spontaneity. Although he seized the opportunity when Ashok was vulnerable, his decision was rooted in deeper...
The White Tiger
Crafting a thesis statement for an essay on how environment shapes a person's behavior and morality in The White Tiger
A strong thesis statement for an essay on how environment shapes behavior and morality in The White Tiger could be: "In The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga illustrates that an individual's environment...