The document provides background information on author Aravind Adiga and his acclaimed novel "The White Tiger". It discusses Adiga's life and career, the plot synopsis of the novel, the narrative style of the protagonist Balram Halwai narrating in letters to the Chinese premier, and praise for Adiga's social critique of India through Balram's perspective shifting between rural poverty and urban success. The novel examines contrasting realities in modern India through Balram's journey from servant to business owner.

1. “THE WHITE TIGER”
- ARAVIND ADIGA
PRESENTATION BY-
ANURAG MINJ
B.A ENGLISH (HONS) WITH MASS
COMMUNICATION.
SEMESTER V.
MATS UNIVERSITY.

2. ABOUT AUTHOR
ARAVINDADIGAWAS BORNON 23RD OCTOBER,1974 IN MADRAS,TAMILNADU,INDIA.. HE GREWUP IN
MANGALOREANDSTUDIEDAT CANARAHIGH SCHOOL,THENAT ST. ALOYSIUSHIGH SCHOOL,WHEREHE
COMPLETEDHIS SECONDARYSCHOOLLEAVINGCERTIFICATE(SSLC) IN 1990. HE STUDIEDENGLISHLITERATURE
AT COLUMBIACOLLEGE,COLUMBIAUNIVERSITYIN NEW YORK.
ARAVINDADIGAIS A JOURNALISTAND AUTHOR,WHO HOLDSDUALINDIANANDAUSTRALIANCITIZENSHIP.HIS
DEBUTNOVEL,THEWHITE TIGER,WON THE2008 MAN BOOKERPRIZE.ADIGABEGANHIS JOURNALISTICCAREER
AS A FINANCIALJOURNALIST,INTERNINGAT THEFINANCIALTIMES. WITH PIECESPUBLISHEDIN THE
FINANCIALTIMES,MONEYANDTHEWALL STREETJOURNAL.HIS REVIEWOF PREVIOUSBOOKERPRIZEWINNER
PETERCAREY'SBOOK,OSCAR ANDLUCINDA,APPEAREDIN THESECONDCIRCLE.HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY
HIREDBY TIME,WHEREHE REMAINEDA SOUTHASIA CORRESPONDENTFOR THREEYEARSBEFOREGOING
FREELANCE.DURINGHIS FREELANCEPERIOD,HE WROTETHEWHITETIGER.HE CURRENTLYLIVESIN MUMBAI,
INDIA.
ARAVINDADIGA'SDEBUTNOVEL,THEWHITE TIGER,WON THE 2008 BOOKERPRIZE.HE IS THEFOURTHINDIAN-
BORNAUTHORTO WIN THEPRIZE,AFTERSALMANRUSHDIE,ARUNDHATIROY AND KIRANDESAI.THENOVEL
STUDIESTHECONTRASTBETWEENINDIA'SRISE AS A MODERNGLOBALECONOMYAND THELEADCHARACTER,
BALRAM,WHO COMES FROM CRUSHINGRURALPOVERTY.

3. AT A TIME WHEN INDIAIS GOING THROUGHGREATCHANGESAND,WITH CHINA,IS LIKELYTO INHERITTHE
WORLDFROM THEWEST, IT IS IMPORTANTTHATWRITERSLIKEME TRYTO HIGHLIGHTTHEBRUTAL
INJUSTICESOF SOCIETY(INDIAN).THAT'SWHAT I'M TRYINGTO DO—IT'SNOTAN ATTACKON THE COUNTRY,
IT'S ABOUTTHEGREATERPROCESSOF SELF-EXAMINATION,ARAVINDADIGA.
HE EXPLAINEDTHATTHECRITICISMBY WRITERSLIKEFLAUBERT,BALZACANDDICKENSOF THE19TH
CENTURYHELPEDENGLANDANDFRANCEBECOMEBETTERSOCIETIES.SHORTLYAFTERWINNINGTHE PRIZEIT
WAS CLAIMEDTHATADIGAHADSACKEDTHEAGENTWHO HELPEDHIM TO VICTORY—ANDTO REACHA DEAL
WITH ATLANTICBOOKSAT THE2007 LONDONBOOKFAIR.HOWEVER,IT LATEREMERGEDTHATTHESESTORIES
WEREFACTUALLYINCORRECT:ADIGAHAD FIREDHIS AGENTALMOSTA YEARBEFORE,IN NOVEMBER2007.
ARAVINDADIGA’SSECONDBOOK,“BETWEENTHEASSASSINATIONS”WAS PUBLISSHEDIN INDIAIN 2008. THE
BOOKFEATURES12 INTERLINKEDSHORT STORIESINTERLINKED.HIS THIRDANDSECONDNOVELPUBLISHED
WAS “LAST MAN TOWER” WHICH IS PUBLISHEDIN 2011.

4. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCINGA MAJOR LITERARYTALENT,THE WHITE
TIGER OFFERS A STORYOF CORUSCATINGWIT, BLISTERING
SUSPENSE,AND QUESTIONABLEMORALITY,TOLD BY THE
MOST VOLATILE,CAPTIVATING,AND UTTERLYINIMITABLE
NARRATORTHATTHIS MILLENNIUMHAS YET SEEN.
ARAVIND ADIGA’S THE WHITETIGERWAS RELEASED TO
CRITICAL ACCLAIM AND BECAMEA WORLDWIDE
BESTSELLER.THE NOVEL WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PEN/
ROBERTBINGHAMFELLOWSHIPFOR WRITERSAND WON
ADIGA THE GALAXYBRITISH BOOKAWARD FOR AUTHOROF
THE YEAR. HOWEVER,THE WHITETIGER SURPASSED THESE
HONORSWHENIT WON THE PRESTIGIOUS BOOKERPRIZE IN
2008.THE WHITETIGERIS ADIGA’SDEBUT NOVEL,BUT IT
FITS NATURALLYINTO HIS CAREER TO DATE. ADIGA WAS
WORKINGAS A FREELANCE JOURNALISTFOCUSED ON
SOUTHEASTERNASIA WHILEWRITINGTHE WHITETIGER.

5. HE HAS SUGGESTED THAT HIS WORK IS DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT INJUSTICES IN INDIA AND
CHINA—MASSIVE GLOBAL ECONOMIES THAT CONTINUE TO HAVE LARGE POPULATIONS
LIVING IN POVERTY. WITH HIS CHARISMATIC AND COMPLEX NARRATOR, WHO HAS RISEN
FROM SERVANT TO MASTER OF HIS OWN FLEET WITH SIXTEEN DRIVERS, ADIGA IS ABLE TO
EXPLORE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN AN “INDIA OF LIGHT, AND AN INDIA OF DARKNESS.”
CRITICS PRAISE ADIGA’S DISCUSSION OF INDIA’S SOCIAL CHANGES, PARTICULARLY HIS
ABILITY TO DEFY EXPECTATIONS. IF ADIGA IS WRITING SOCIAL CRITICISM IN THE TRADITION
OF CHARLES DICKENS, ADAM LIVELY POINTS OUT THAT ADIGA STANDS AT THE OPPOSITE END
OF THE SPECTRUM OF REPRESENTATIONS OF POVERTY FROM THOSE IMAGES OF DOE-EYED
CHILDREN.

6. THE WHITE TIGER
SYNOPSIS-
BALRAM HALWAI (PROTAGONIST) IS THE WHITE TIGER - THE SMARTEST BOY IN HIS VILLAGE. HIS FAMILY
IS TOO POOR FOR HIM TO AFFORD FOR HIM TO FINISH SCHOOL AND HE HAS TO WORK IN A TEASHOP,
BREAKING COALS AND WIPING TABLES. BUT BALRAM GETS HIS BREAK WHEN A RICH MAN HIRES HIM AS
A CHAUFFEUR, AND TAKES HIM TO LIVE IN DELHI. THE CITY IS A REVELATION. AS HE DRIVES HIS MASTER
TO SHOPPING MALLS AND CALL CENTRES, BALRAM BECOMES INCREASINGLY AWARE OF IMMENSE
WEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY ALL AROUND HIM, WHILE KNOWING THAT HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GAIN
ACCESS TO THAT WORLD. AS BALRAM BROODS OVER HIS SITUATION, HE REALIZES THAT THERE IS ONLY
ONE WAY HE CAN BECOME PART OF THIS GLAMOROUS NEW INDIA - BY MURDERING HIS MASTER.
THE WHITE TIGER PRESENTS A RAW AND UNROMANTICISED INDIA, BOTH THRILLING AND SHOCKING -
FROM THE DESPERATE, ALMOST LAWLESS VILLAGES ALONG THE GANGES, TO THE BOOMING WILD
SOUTH OF BANGALORE AND ITS TECHNOLOGY AND OUTSOURCING CENTRES. THE FIRST-PERSON
CONFESSION OF A MURDERER, THE WHITE TIGER IS AS COMPELLING FOR ITS SUBJECT MATTER AS FOR
THE VOICE OF ITS NARRATOR - AMORAL, CYNICAL, UNREPENTANT, YET DEEPLY ENDEARING.

7. SYNOPSIS
THE WHITE TIGER IS AT ONCE A CLASSIC RAGS TO RICHES STORY, A MURDER STORY, AND A BRUTAL
CRITIQUEOF THE INEQUALITIES IN INDIAN SOCIETY.IT IS TOLD THROUGH THE FORM OF AN ONGOING
LETTER TO THE CHINESE PREMIER,WHO IS TO VISIT INDIA TO LEARN LESSONS ABOUT 'ENTREPRENEURSHIP',
FROM BALRAM HALWAI.
BALRAM,THE 'WHITE TIGER' IS BORN IN THE DARKNESS,THE NAME GIVEN TO POOR, RURAL INDIA.HE
WORKS IN A TEA-SHOP, BUT HAS AMBITIONSTO RAISE HIMSELF OUT OF POVERTY, AND MANAGES TO GET A
JOB WORKING AS A CHAUFFEURFOR A WEALTHY, CORRUPTBUSINESSMAN.HE FOLLOWS HIM TO DELHI,
WHERE HE LIVES IN CRAMPED AND DIRTY SERVANTS QUARTERS IN THE BASEMENT OF HIS MASTER'S
LUXURY APARTMENT BLOCK.WHEN HIS MASTER'S WIFE RUNS OVER AND KILLS A STREET CHILD, HE IS
ALMOST FORCED INTO A CONFESSIONIN ORDER TO SAVE HER.
INCENSEDBY THIS, AND THE STARK INEQUALITIES HE LIVES WITH, AND THE PRECARIOUSNESSOF HIS OWN
POSITION, HE PLOTS A WAY OUT OF THIS WORLD WHERE AN INNOCENTMAN CAN JAILED FOR A CRIMEHE
DID NOT COMMITTO SAVE HIS MASTER'S SKIN. HE MURDERS HIM, AND ESCAPES TO BANGALOREWITH HIS
MONEY, WHERE HE IS ABLE TO START A NEW LIFE AS THE OWNER OF A TAXI COMPANY,EMPLOYING
MANY OTHERS. HE HAS COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS,AND INTO THE LIGHT.

8. THE PROTAGONIST
INTRODUCING A MAJOR LITERARY TALENT, THE WHITE TIGER OFFERS A STORY OF CORUSCATING WIT,
BLISTERING SUSPENSE, AND QUESTIONABLE MORALITY, TOLD BY THE MOST VOLATILE, CAPTIVATING, AND
UTTERLY INIMITABLE NARRATOR THAT THIS MILLENNIUM HAS YET SEEN.
BALRAM HALWAI IS A COMPLICATED MAN. SERVANT. PHILOSOPHER. ENTREPRENEUR. MURDERER. OVER THE
COURSE OF SEVEN NIGHTS, BY THE SCATTERED LIGHT OF A PREPOSTEROUS CHANDELIER, BALRAM TELLS US THE
TERRIBLE AND TRANSFIXING STORY OF HOW HE CAME TO BE A SUCCESS IN LIFE -- HAVING NOTHING BUT HIS
OWN WITS TO HELP HIM ALONG.
BORN IN THE DARK HEART OF INDIA, BALRAM GETS A BREAK WHEN HE IS HIRED AS A DRIVER FOR HIS VILLAGE'S
WEALTHIEST MAN, TWO HOUSE POMERANIANS (PUDDLES AND CUDDLES), AND THE RICH MAN'S (VERY UNLUCKY)
SON. FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THEIR HONDA CITY CAR, BALRAM'S NEW WORLD IS A REVELATION. WHILE HIS
PEERS FLIP THROUGH THE PAGES OF MURDER WEEKLY ("LOVE -- RAPE -- REVENGE!"), BARTER FOR GIRLS, DRINK
LIQUOR (THUNDERBOLT), AND PERPETUATE THE GREAT ROOSTER COOP OF INDIAN SOCIETY, BALRAM WATCHES
HIS EMPLOYERS BRIBE FOREIGN MINISTERS FOR TAX BREAKS, BARTER FOR GIRLS, DRINK LIQUOR (SINGLE-MALT
WHISKEY), AND PLAY THEIR OWN ROLE IN THE ROOSTER COOP. BALRAM LEARNS HOW TO SIPHON GAS, DEAL
WITH CORRUPT MECHANICS, AND REFILL AND RESELL JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK LABEL BOTTLES (ALL BUT ONE).
HE ALSO FINDS A WAY OUT OF THE COOP THAT NO ONE ELSE INSIDE IT CAN PERCEIVE.

9. BALRAM'S EYES PENETRATE INDIA AS FEW OUTSIDERS CAN: THE COCKROACHES AND THE CALL
CENTERS; THE PROSTITUTES AND THE WORSHIPPERS; THE ANCIENT AND INTERNET CULTURES; THE
WATER BUFFALO AND, TRAPPED IN SO MANY KINDS OF CAGES THAT ESCAPE IS (ALMOST) IMPOSSIBLE,
THE WHITE TIGER. AND WITH A CHARISMA AS UNDENIABLE AS IT IS UNEXPECTED, BALRAM TEACHES
US THAT RELIGION DOESN'T CREATE VIRTUE, AND MONEY DOESN'T SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM-- BUT
DECENCY CAN STILL BE FOUND IN A CORRUPT WORLD, AND YOU CAN GET WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF
LIFE IF YOU EAVESDROP ON THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONS.
SOLD IN SIXTEEN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, THE WHITE TIGER RECALLS THE DEATH OF
VISHNU ANDBANGKOK 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.

10. NARRATIVE STYLE
THE BASIC PREMISE OF THIS NOVEL IS THAT A FIRST PERSON NARRATOR, BALRAM HALWAI, WRITES A
SERIES OF LETTERS TO THE CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO, WHO HEARS ON THE RADIO THAT HE
WANTS TO "KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT BANGALORE." BALRAM HALWAI, IN HIS UNIQUE AND RATHER
SARCASTIC VOICE, SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE PREMIER WITH THE TRUTH FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AS HE
REVEALS THE TROUBLING INCONSISTENCIES AND TERRIBLE CRUELTIES IN INDIA.
STYLISTICALLY, THE MAJOR ASPECT OF THE NOVEL IS THE VOICE OF BALRAM HALWAI AND HOW HE
MANAGES TO PRESENT INDIA TO US WHILST ALSO SHOWING HIMSELF TO BE A SYMPATHETIC
CHARACTER WITH DISARMING ELEGANCE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NO MEAN FEAT WHEN WE
REMEMBER THAT BALRAM IS A SELF-CONFESSED AND UNASHAMED KILLER. HE LAYS BEFORE US THE
GRITTY REALITIES OF MODERN-DAY INDIA WITH ITS TERRIBLE POVERTY AND PRESENTS THE
SITUATION OF TRYING TO ALLEVIATE ANY OF THOSE CONDITONS AS BEING ABSOLUTELY HOPELESS.
THE VOICE OF BALRAM IS CERTAINLY VERY CAPTIVATING AS HE LEADS US THROUGH HIS JOURNEY
FROM RURAL POVERTY TOWARDS URBAN SUCCESS AND THE VARIOUS CHARACTERS AND EVENTS HE
SEES ALONG THE WAY.

11. SUMMARY
“My country is the kind where it pays to play it both ways: the Indian entrepreneur has to be straight and
crooked, mocking and believing, sly and sincere, at the same time.” “Those who live in this place call it the
Darkness. Please understand, Your Excellency, that India is two countries in one: an India of Light, and an
India of Darkness. The ocean brings light to my country. Every place on the map of India near the ocean is
well off. But the river brings darkness to India—the black river.”
- THE WHITE TIGER.
BALRAM WRITES AN EMAIL TO THE CHINESE PRIME-MINSTER MR. JIABAO WHO WANTS TO VISIT
BANGALORE TO GET TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT LIVING IN IT. HE TELLS ABOUT HIS LIFE AND
DESCRIBES HIS VILLAGE LAXMANGARH WHICH IS IN THE DISTRICT OF THE RURAL GAYA. BALRAM CALLS
HIMSELF HALF-BAKED BECAUSE HE NEVER COMPLETED SCHOOL AND IS HALF-EDUCATED. THEREFORE
HIS IDEAS ARE HALF FORMED, HALF-DIGESTED AND HALF CORRECT AND HE EVEN GETS HIS NAME BY HIS
TEACHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS PARENTS JUST NAMED HIM “MUNNA”, WHICH MEANS BOY. THE
TEACHER BACKS HIM UP AND CALLS HIM “THE WHITE TIGER” CONSIDERING THAT THE WHITE TIGER IS
THE RAREST ANIMAL IN THE JUNGLE AND APPEARES ONLY ONCE IN A GENERATION.

12. HIS HOME HASN'T GOT ELECTRICITY OR A WATER TAP BUT A BUFFALO WHICH IS BETTER FED BY THE
WOMEN THAN THE MEN. BALRAM TALKS ABOUT HIS DAD WHO IS A HARD WORKING RICKSHAW-PULLER
AND HIS MUM WHO DIED. LATER ON HIS BROTHER KISHAN FETCHES HIM TO GO TO THE TEA SHOP AND
SINCE THIS DAY SCHOOLING IS FINISHED FOR HIM AND HE HAS TO WORK IN THE SHOP.
AFTER HIS FATHER DIED OF TUBERCULOSIS HIS BROTHER KISHAN TAKES CARE OF HIM AND MARRIES
ONE MONTH LATER. NEVERTHELESS BALRAM AND KISHAN PACK OFF TO DHANBAD WITH THEIR COUSIN
DILIP.
THEY ALL GET WORK IN A TEASHOP BUT BALRAM IS FIRED BECAUSE OF SPYING ON EVERY CUSTOMER
IN THE SHOP.
THEREFORE HE IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CAR-DRIVER.
MOREOVER HE WOULD EARN MUCH MONEY BUT HE ISN’T ABLE TO PAY FOR THE DRIVING LESSONS.
KISHAN AND DILIP HAND DOWN GOOD NEWS TO HIM BECAUSE HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO ASKS FOR
REMEMBERING HER IF HE GETS RICH, AGREES TO INVEST IN THE LESSONS.
BESIDES BALRAM HAS TO SEND EVERY RUPEE HE EARNS BACK.
HIS TEACHER IS VERY STRICT AND SLAPS HIM EACH TIME BALRAM MAKES A MISTAKE NEVERTHELESS
HE IS SATISFIED WITH HIM IN THE END AND HE TAKES HIM TO A FIREWORK AS REWARD.
AFTER BALRAM HAS FINISHED HIS LESSONS HE SEARCHES FOR A HOUSEHOLD WHICH NEEDS A DRIVER.

13. ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS HE HAS EXPECTED HE KEEPS TRYING AND IS ACCEPTED FINALLY
AFTER HE TELLS HIS NEW MASTERS MR ASHOK, THE STORK AND MUKESH SIR HE’S FROM LAXMANGARH.
HE MAKES A DRIVING TEST IN A MARUTI SUZUKI WITH THEM.
BALRAM DOESN’T WANT ANY MONEY FROM HIS MASTERS BUT THEY WANT HIM TO ACCEPT IT.
IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF MR ASHOK, MUKESH SIR AND THE STORK HE IS TREATED VERY WELL. THERE IS ALWAYS
ENOUGH FOOD, HE GETS A UNIFORM AND HE SHARES A ROOM WITH ANOTHER SERVANT, CALLED RAM PRASAD.
IN CONTRAST TO RAM WHO HAS A BED TO SLEEP BALRAM HAS TO LIE ON THE FLOOR, BUT FOR HIM IT IS MUCH
BETTER THAN SLEEPING ON THE ROAD.
RAM IS THE NUMBER ONE DRIVER BUT IF HE IS BUSY BALRAM IS ALLOWED TO DRIVE HIS MASTERS INSTEAD OF
MAKING TEA OR SWEEPING THE FLOOR.
BECAUSE THE MASTERS LIKE TO DRINK WHISKEY RAM AND BALRAM HAVE TO BUY THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE
IN THE ENGLISH LIQUOR SHOP, ‘JACKPOT’.
ONE MORNING MR ASHOK’S WIFE PINKY MADAM, WHO ACTUALLY PLAYS BADMINTON WITH HER HUSBAND,
KNOCKS ON BALRAM’S DOOR AND LIKES TO PLAY WITH HIM BUT IN CONTRAST TO RAM HE’S VERY BAD IN IT.
MR ASHOK WANTS HIS SERVANTS TO MOVE IN ANOTHER ROOM, A BETTER ONE WITH TWO SEPARATED BEDS
AND MORE PRIVACY. HE EVEN TELLS BALRAM HE WAS ALSO BORN IN LAXMANGARH AND ORDERS TO DRIVE
HIM AND HIS WIFE TO HIS BIRTHPLACE.

14. PINKY MADAM THINKS ABOUT A RETURN DATE IN NEW YORK BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO GO BACK TO AMERICA.
AFTER THEY HAVE EATEN AT THE STORK’S MANSION BALRAM’S FAMILY ARRIVES AND TAKES A LOOK AT “HIS”
CAR, THE HONDA CITY, WITH PRIDE.
LATER AT HOME HIS GRANDMOTHER WANTS HIM TO MARRY EVEN THOUGH HE ISN’T READY YET. WHEN HE
COMES DOWN THE HILL MR ASHOK AND PINKY MADAM WAIT FOR HIM AT THE CAR AT THE STORK’S MANSION
BECAUSE THEY HAD WONDERED WHERE HE HAS BEEN. PINKY MADAM ASKS ABOUT NEW YORK AGAIN BUT
REGARDING INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT AND THE SERVANTS WHO ARE PART OF THE FAMILY ALREADY, MR ASHOK
WOULD RATHER STAY IN INDIA.
AN UNIFORMED MAN CAME TO SCHOOL FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION TO WRITE DOWN THE PUPILS AGES. DUE
TO THE FACT THAT BALRAM DOES NOT KNOW HIS AGE THE MAN SAYS HE IS EIGHTEEN AND ABLE TO VOTE
FROM NOW ON AND THIS DAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY. DURING HIS WORK IN THE TEA-SHOP HE EAVESDROPS A
DIALOGUE SAYING A MAN WAS KILLED WHO WAS DISTURBING THE OFFICIAL CELEBRATION OF THE
SOCILIALIST ELECTION-WIN. AFTER IT BALRAM TALKS ABOUT THE VISIT OF THE GREAT SOCIALIST AND VIJAY
LAXMANGARH'S NEW DEPUTY WHO IS THE FORMER BUS CONDUCTER. AT HIS MASTER'S- MR. ASHOK - HOME
BALRAM FINDS OUT THAT THE OTHER DRIVER RAM, WHO HIS SERVANT NUMBER ONE IS A MUSLIM. THE STORKS
DISAPPROVES OF THIS RELIGION AND THINKS THAT RAM IS A HINDU, BALRAM THREATENS RAM. FINALLY RAM
IS AFRAID TO BE DISCOVERED AND LEAVES MR. ASHOK'S HOME. BALRAM BECOMES THE SERVANT NUMBER
ONE.

15. HE EXPLAINSTHATTHE NAMESAND NUMBERSOF THE SEVERALSTREETS DO NOTFOLLOW ANY SYSTEM OF LOGIC,WHICH
SERVESAS A TRANSITIONTO HIS DUTIES AS A DRIVERIN DELHI.WHILST DRIVINGMR. ASHOK,MUKESH SIR AND PINKY
MADAMAROUNDTHE CITYTO DROPTHEM OFF ATA MALL,BALRAMGETS CONSTANTLYMOCKEDBY MUKESHSIR FOR
GETTINGLOST ALL THETIME AND IMMEDIATELYPROTECTEDBY MR. ASHOKWHO FEELS PITY FOR HIM.
SINCEBALRAMCAN’TENTERTHE MALLLIKEALL SERVANTSHE WAITS AMONGTHE OTHERDRIVERSIN FRONTOF THE
MALL. HENOTICESA MAGAZINECALLED“MURDERWEEKLY”THATFEATURESVIOLENTSTORIESABOUTFICTIONAL
MURDERSIN DETAILTHATSEEM TO FASCINATEMOST OF THE SERVANTS.AFTER DRIVINGHIS MASTERS HOME,FURTHER
MOCKERYFROM MUKESHSIR AND CLEANINGTHE CARBALRAMRETURNSTO THESERVANTS’QUARTERIN THEBASEMENT
OF THE BUILDINGHIS MASTERS ARELIVINGIN. THEREHE GETS MOCKEDAND ABUSEDBY THE OTHERSERVANTSUNTILHE
DECIDESTO MOVEIN A LITTLEROOM WHEREHE CAN BEALONEEVEN THOUGHIT IS IN HORRIBLESHAPE AND FULL OF
ROACHES.THE NEXT DAY BALRAMGETS TO DRIVEMR. ASHOKAND MUKESHSIR TO THE HEADQUARTERSOF THE
CONGRESSPARTYWHEREHE HAS TO WAIT FOR TWO HOURSAFTER DROPPINGTHEM OFF. WHILEHE SUSPECTS HIS
MASTERSTO BE BRIBINGSOME POLITICIANHE IS IMPRESSED BY HIS SURROUNDINGS,SUCH AS THEPRESIDENTSHOUSE,
AND FEELS A STRONGNEED TO BELONGTO THE UPPER PART OF THE CITY.WHILST CONTINUINGHIS DUTIESBALRAM
SUSPECTS A CRISISIN THE RELATIONSHIPOF MR. ASHOKAND PINKYMADAM ANDHAS TO FACEFURTHERABUSEFROM
MUKESH SIR UNTILHE HAS TO DROPHIM OFF AT THE RAILWAYONEDAY LEAVINGASHOKAS HIS ONLYMASTER.
THROUGHOUTTHE TIME HE GETS YELLEDBY PINKY MADAMFOR HIS LOW HYGIENEBALRAMFEELS A STRANGE
ATTRACTIONTOWARDSHER WHICHHE SUPPRESSES SINCETHE TENSIONBETWEENHER ANDMR. ASHOK SEEMS TO BE
GROWING

16. . THEY BOND ONCE AGAIN OVER MOCKING BALRAM TOGETHER ON ANOTHER TRIP TO THE MALL
WHERE BALRAM RE-JOINS THE OTHER DRIVERS WAITING IN FRONT OF IT. WHILE THE OTHER DRIVERS
ARE BUSY READING THE NEWEST EDITION OF “MURDER WEEKLY” BALRAM NOTICES THAT SERVANTS
ARE BEING KEPT OUT OF THE MALL AND THAT THE BOUNCERS ARE IDENTIFYING THEM BY THEIR
CLOTHING. THEREFORE HE FIGURES THAT HE HAS TO BUY PROPER CLOTHING IN ORDER TO GET INTO
THE MALL HIMSELF, WHICH HE DOES LATER ON AFTER HAVING BOUGHT NEW SHOES, CLOTHES AND
TOOTHPASTE.
APART OF THIS EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE BALRAM HAS TO FACE FURTHER HUMILIATION BY PINKY
MADAM AND MR. ASHOK WHO MAKE HIM DRESS UP AS A MAHARAJA FOR THEIR OWN AMUSEMENT
AND HAVING HIM DRIVE THEM TO A PARTY WHERE HE HAS TO WAIT WITH THE OTHER DRIVERS ONCE
AGAIN. ON THE WAY BACK AN INTOXICATED PINKY MADAM BUYS A LITTLE BUDDHA STATUE FOR
BALRAM AND THEN INSISTS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HERSELF, LEAVING BALRAM ALONE ON THE
ROAD.
THIS TURNS OUT TO BE ANOTHER MOCKERY SINCE MR. ASHOK AND PINKY MADAM PRETEND TO RUN
OVER BALRAM AND THEN PICK HIM UP AGAIN TO CONTINUE DRIVING HOME.

17. DURING THE TOUR THEY COMMIT A HIT-AND-RUN ON A POOR CHILD AND FORCE BALRAM TO COVER
IT UP BY CLEANING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. IN RESPONSE MUKESH SIR RETURNS ON THE NEXT DAY
THAT TREATS BALRAM REALLY NICE FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE MR. ASHOK IS STILL BUSY
COMFORTING PINKY MADAM WHO SUFFERED A SEVERE SHOCK.
IT TURNS OUT THE BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE OF MUKESH SIR TOWARDS BALRAM ONLY SERVED THE
PURPOSE TO EASE HIM IN INTO TAKING THE BLAME FOR THE WHOLE INCIDENT, THUS BALRAM IS
SUPPOSED TO GO TO JAIL INSTEAD OF THEM.
THEN BALRAM DESCRIBES THE PRINCIPLE OF THE ROOSTER COOP. IN A ROOSTER COOP, ALL CHICKENS
ARE STUFFED TOGETHER TIGHTLY. THEY ARE SO BUSY TRYING TO FIND A BREATHING SPACE IN
ORDER TO KEEP ALIVE THAT THEY DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT BREAKING OUT OF THE COOP. IN
BALRAM’S OPINION, 99.9 % OF THE INDIANS, THE SERVANTS, ARE IMPRISONED IN SUCH A ROOSTER
COOP BY THE RICH. ALTHOUGH THESE MEN HAVE THE SAME ABILITIES AS THE RICH, THEY WERE
TAUGHT TO BE SLAVES SO WELL THAT THEY DON’T MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO BREAK OUT OF THE
COOP. FURTHERMORE, THEY KNOW THAT THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE AS GOOD AS DEAD IF THEY
SHOULD TRY TO BETRAY THEIR MASTERS.

18. WHEN BALRAM IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO JAIL FOR THE HIT-AND-RUN COMMITTED BY PINKY MADAM, HE
FEELS LIKE BEING TRAPPED IN THIS COOP AND NOT ABLE TO BREAK OUT OF IT. HE IS SO TERRIFIED
THAT HE DOESN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT RUNNING AWAY. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY HAS REPORTED THE
ACCIDENT AND BALRAM DOESN’T HAVE TO GO TO PRISON. THE ONE WHO DELIVERS THIS MESSAGE TO
BALRAM IS PINKY MADAM – SHE IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE FAMILY WHO ACTUALLY SEEMS TO FEEL
GUILTY ABOUT THE DEATH OF THE UNKNOWN CHILD. BALRAM REALISES THAT THE ATMOSPHERE IN
THE FAMILY IS NOT THE BEST. PINKY MADAM APPEARS QUITE UPSET, AND SOME DAYS LATER SHE
COMMANDS HIM TO DRIVE HER TO THE AIRPORT AT TWO IN THE MORNING.
WHEN MR ASHOK REALISES THAT HIS WIFE HAS LEFT HIM FOR GOOD, HE TURNS HIS ANGER ON
BALRAM, UNTIL THE LATTER KICKS HIM IN THE CHEST TO STOP HIM. MR ASHOK DOESN’T KNOW HOW
TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. HE SPENDS MUCH TIME BEING DRUNK AND BEING DRIVEN AROUND
THROUGH DELHI AIMLESSLY. IT MELTS BALRAM’S HEART TO SEE HIS MASTER SO LOST AND
POWERLESS AND HE GIVES HIS BEST TRYING TO DISTRACT HIM AND CARE FOR HIM. HE THINKS THAT
IT IS HIS DUTY TO BE LIKE A WIFE TO MR ASHOK NOW THAT PINKY MADAM IS GONE. THE MASTER-
SERVANT-RELATIONSHIP BECOMES QUITE CLOSE. STILL, BALRAM CAN’T TELL WHERE HIS SINCERE
CONCERN FOR HIS MASTER ENDS AND HIS SELF-INTEREST BEGINS – WITHOUT MR ASHOK HE
WOULDN’T HAVE ANY JOB AND MONEY.

19. THE BEGINNING INTIMACY BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM COMES TO A SUDDEN END WHEN THE MONGOOSE
ARRIVES FROM DHANBAD AND MR. ASHOK TELLS HIM THAT HE IS GLAD TO HAVE ‘SOMEONE REAL’ BY HIS SIDE
AGAIN. THE MONGOOSE HAS A LETTER FROM BALRAM’S GRANDMOTHER AND READS IT ALOUD FOR HIM–
ALTHOUGH BALRAM CAN RED: SHE WANTS HIM TO SEND MORE MONEY AND TO COME HOME IN ORDER TO
MARRY. THE NEXT MORNING, BALRAM FINDS MR. ASHOK MASSAGING HIS FEET HIMSELF. IMMEDIATELY, THE
SERVANT BRED INTO HIM GRABS THE FEET OF HIS MASTER, WHICH REALLY UPSETS MR. ASHOK AND MAKES
HIM SHOUT ‘HOW STUPID CAN YOU PEOPLE GET?’
REFLECTING THIS SITUATION, THE THOUGHT OF MURDER CROSSES BALRAM’S MIND FOR THE FIRST TIME (‘I HAD
A VISION OF A PALE STIFF FOOT PUSHING THROUGH A FIRE. “NO,” I SAID.’). BALRAM IS OBSERVED BY THEM AND
AS LONG AS HE IS, HE CAN’T BREAK OUT OF THE COOP, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY GUARDED FROM THE INSIDE.
BALRAM COMES TO DESCRIBING HOW HE CHANGED FROM AN INNOCENT VILLAGE BOY TO A CORRUPTED MAN.
HE CLAIMS THAT THESE CHANGES JUST HAPPENED IN HIM BECAUSE THEY FIRST HAPPENED IN HIS MASTER.
HAVING BEEN ALONE FOR SOME TIME, MR. ASHOK STARTS GOING TO DISCOS. IN THE SMALL CAR, BALRAM CAN
FEEL THAT HIS MASTER IS HORNY AS IF THEY WOULD SHARE THE SAME BODY. WHEN MR. ASHOK LEAVES THE
HOTEL, HE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A NEPALESE LOOKING GIRL. THE FACT THAT HIS STILL MARRIED MASTER
BETRAYS HIS WIFE DRIVES BALRAM FURIOUS. AS HE WAITS FOR THE TWO OF THEM TO COME OUT OF A CINEMA,
HE TALKS TO A BOOK SELLER, WHO IS SURE THAT THE NAXALS ARE PLANNING SOME KIND OF REVOLUTIONARY
CIVIL WAR. AFTER DRIVING MR. ASHOK AND THE GIRL HOME, HE TAKES THE CAR FOR A RIDE ON HIS OWN,
LISTENING TO LOUD MUSIC, AND SPITS ON THE SEATS AFTERWARDS.

20. AS HE EAVESDROPS ON HIS MASTER THE NEXT MORNING, HE REALISES THAT THE GIRL – UMA – IS MR. ASHOK’S
OLD LOVER. HE FEELS GUILTY FOR HAVING CONDEMNED HIS MASTER AND PUNISHES HIMSELF BY PINCHING HIS
PALM. MR. ASHOK TELLS UMA THAT SHE CAN TRUST BALRAM BECAUSE HE IS ‘STUPID AS HELL, BUT HONEST’.
THE TWO PASSENGERS DRINK WHISKY IN THE CAR AND THEN GO TO PICK UP A BLONDE WHORE FROM UKRAINE
WHO LOOKS LIKE THE FAMOUS ACTRESS KIM BASINGER. MR. ASHOK SAYS THAT HE SEES SOMEONE AND DOESN’T
NEED A WHORE, BUT HE CAN’T GET OUT OF THE SITUATION. BALRAM WANTS TO GIVE HIM ADVICE, BUT HE IS
JUST THE DRIVER. WHEN MR. ASHOK FOLLOWS THE ASSISTANT AND THE WHORE INSIDE A HOTEL, HE LOOKS LIKE
A GUILTY LITTLE BOY. BALRAM SWEARS TO DEFEND HIS MASTER’S HONOUR BECAUSE THE LATTER COULDN’T
DEFEND HIM AGAINST BEING CORRUPTED BY OTHERS.
AS HE DRIVES THROUGH DELHI, HE FEELS AS IF THE CITY WOULD UNDERSTAND HIM.
WHILE MR. ASHOK IS JOGGING AROUND THE BLOCK BALRAM SUDDENLY ASKS VITILIGO-LIPS FOR A GOLDEN-
HAIRED PROSTITUTE. VITILIGO-LIPS WANT TO ARRANGE SOMETHING FOR HIM.
BALRAM SAYS THERE ARE FOUR WAYS FOR A SERVANT TO BETRAY HIS MASTER TO GET EXTRA CASH: 1ST HE
CAN SELL PETROL FROM THE CAR. 2ND HE CAN GO TO A CORRUPT MECHANIC AND INFLATE THE PRICE THAT IS TO
PAY AND KEEP THE REST FOR HIMSELF. 3RD HE CAN SELL THE EMPTY WHISKY BOTTLES. 4TH HE CAN USE THE
CAR AS A FREELANCE TAXI. HE NEVER HAD CHEATED HIS MASTER BEFORE BUT HE STARTS TO DO THAT FOR A
COUPLE OF WEEKS AND EVEN FEELS RAGE INSTEAD OF GUILT WHILE DOING IT. LATER HE WILL BE ASHAMED OF
HIS BEHAVIOR.

21. “THE MORE I STOLE FROM HIM, THE MORE I REALIZE HOW MUCH HE HAD STOLEN FROM ME.”
THE MOMENT HE HAS ENOUGH MONEY HE GOES TO VITILIGO-LIPS AGAIN AND ASKS FOR THE PROSTITUTE -NOT FOR HIS MASTER MR. ASHOK
BUT FOR HIMSELF. ALTHOUGH SHE IS GOLDEN-HAIREDSHE ISN’T AS PRETTY AS THE WOMEN MR. ASHOKHAS MET. NEVERTHELESS THINGS
START TO HAPPEN AND SUDDENLY BALRAM JUMPS OUT OF THE BED BECAUSE HE HAS DISCOVERED SOMETHING HE IS NOT ABLE TO STAND.
THE HAIR HAS BEEN DYED ONLY. HE LEAVES AND IN CONSEQUENCE HE HAD SPENT ALL HIS MONEY FOR NOTHING.
BALRAM ARRIVES AT HIS ROOM AND DISCOVERS A SURPRISE THERE. MR. ASHOK IS SITTING ON HIS BED AND SAYS HE WOULD KNOW WHERE
BALRAM HAS BEEN. THE SHOCKING MOMENT PASSES FAST BECAUSE MR. ASHOK WAS TOLD THAT HE HAS BEEN AT THE TEMPLE.
WITHOUT ANY INDICATION MR. ASHOK NAMES HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH HIS LIFE. HE THINKS EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. IN HIS
OPINION ACTUALLY BALRAM’S LIFE IS MORE LIVEABLE. THEREFORE MR. ASHOK WANTS BALRAM TO SHOW HIM HIS LIFE. HE HAS DINNER WITH
HIM. BALRAM CAN’T UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE LIKE MR. ASHOK.
MUKESH COMES TO TOWN AGAIN. HE PERSUADES MR. ASHOK TO MARRY AGAIN. BUT AS MR. ASHOK IS ABLE TO CONVINCE HIM TO LEAVE SOME
TIME TO FIND A WOMAN BY HIMSELF.
MUKESH GIVES HIM A RED BAG WITH LOTS OF MONEY INSIDE. HE HAS TO BRING IT TO THE MINISTER AGAIN.
AS THEY ARE WAITING IN A TRAFFIC JAM SOME BEGGARSCOME ALONG THE ROAD. WITHOUT THINKING ABOUTIT BALRAM GIVES THEM ONE
RUPEE. THE MONGOOSE GETS REALLY ANGRY AND SHOUTS AT HIM. WATCHING BALRAM HE KEEPS HIS EYES ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR THE
WHOLE DRIVE. LATER IN THEIR APARTMENT THE MONGOOSE CHECKS THE BREATH OF BALRAM BECAUSE HE THINKS HE WAS DRINKING AND
SENDS HIM AWAY ANGRILY.
WHEN MUKESH LEAVES SOME DAYS LATER BALRAM DANCES AROUND THE PLATFORM AT THE TRAIN STATION THE MOMENT THE TRAIN
DISAPPEARS.
AS MR. ASHOK IS ON THE PHONE AGAIN BALRAM HAS TO BRING THE RED BAG FULL OF MONEY DOWNSTAIRS TO THE CAR. MR. ASHOK WOULD
FOLLOW IN A MINUTE. AS BALRAM IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE ELEVATOR HE SUDDENLY TURNS AROUNDAS IF HE IS ON THE RUN AND RUNS
FAST DOWN THE STAIRS. THE READER IS LEFT IN ONE MOMENT OF UNCERTAINTY.HOWEVER SOME TIME LATER BALRAM IS WAITING FOR HIS
MASTER IN THE CAR WITH THE RED BAG AND ALL HIS UNTOUCHED MONEY ON THE BACKSEAT.

22. AS HE IS TALKINGTO THE CITYWHILEHE IS DRIVINGMR. ASHOKTO THEMINISTERAGAINDELHI TELLS HIMTHATTHE MONEY
TRULYBELONGSTO BALRAMANDNO ONE ELSE.
“IN YOURHEARTYOU’VEALREADYTAKENIT.” (P.245)
BALRAMIS IN A REALLYBADCONFLICTWITH HIS CONSCIENCE.IF HE FULFILS HIS PLAN HIS FAMILYWILL BEIN DANGERAND
HE WOULDDISAPPOINTHIS FATHERWHO WANTEDHIM TO BEAN HONESTMAN.ON THEOTHERHANDHIS FATHERWANTED
HIM TO BEA MAN ANDHIS FAMILYIS FOR A LONG TIMEFAR AWAY FROM HIM. MOREOVERMR. ASHOKGAVEBALRAMTHE
BLAMEFOR THE CARACCIDENTAND THECHILD’SDEATH.
FULFILLEDWITH THESE THOUGHTSHE GOES TO THETRAINSTATIONSECRETLYANDWITHOUTANY OBVIOUSREASON.
“SO THISIS WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE.”HE THINKSFOR HIMSELF AS IF HE IS PRACTICINGHIS ESCAPE.
BALRAMGETS A FREE DAY TELLINGHIS MASTER HE WOULDGO TO THETEMPLE ALTHOUGHIT IS A LIE.HE WANTS TO GO TO
THE FAMOUS“RED-LIGHT-DISTRICT” IN DELHI.THOUGHHE CHANGESHIS MIND SEEINGTHE WOMENBEHINDTHEGLASSES
LOOKEDLIKEANIMALS.
SO HE GOESSTRAIGHTON TO AN OLDERPART OF THE CITY.BALRAMGETS TO A SECONDHANDMARKETWHEREBOOKSARE
SOLD. IT’S REALLYIMPRESSIVEFOR HIM. THEREFOREHE NAMES IT “WONDEROF THE WORLD”.THEREHE MEETS AN OLD
BOOKSELLER.THISMAN TELLS HIM A LOTABOUTPOETRYANDPOETS.THIS POINTIS REALLYIMPORTANTFOR BALRAM.
MOVEDBY THIS HAPPENINGTHE SERVANTAWAKESAGAINAND HE WANTSTO TELL MR. ASHOKABOUTHIS SECRET,BUTHIS
MASTER DOESN’TLISTEN.IN CONTRASTHE THINKSBALRAMWANTS TO MARRYANDGIVESHIM MONEYFOR THEFESTIVITY.
THE NEXTDAY BALRAMGOESUNINTENTIONALLYTO THESLUMS OF DELHI.HE THROWSALLTHE RUPEESHE GOTFROM HIS
MASTER AWAY FOR THE NON-EXISTINGWEDDING.

23. AS HE COMES HOME HE IS IN A REAL RAGE BUT IMMEDIATELY STOPPED BY A BOY. THIS BOY IS DHARAM, HIS
NEPHEW, WHO IS SENT TO BALRAM. HE SHOULD HELP AND FIND SOMETHING TO WORK FOR HIM. PARTLY
RELIEVED BALRAM REALIZES THAT THE BOY HAS STOPPED HIM FROM A MURDER.
ONE NIGHT A LIZARD IS ON THE MOSQUITO NET OF BALRAM WHO IS TOTALLY SHOCKED. DHARAM HAS TO KILL
IT AND GIVES HIS UNCLE THE FEELING THAT HE WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DHARAM DESTROYING HIS PLAN
BECAUSE HE WON’T RECOGNIZE HE WAS PLANNING SOMETHING AS HE HAS SEEN BALRAM THIS FRIGHTENED.
THE NEW WOMAN IN MR. ASHOK’S LIFE DOESN’T REALLY LIKE BALRAM AND MAKES PLANS FOR A REPLACEMENT
DRIVER. MR. ASHOK AND HER STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AS MR. ASHOK GETS TO KNOW THAT HIS PARTY HASN’T
THE MAJORITY ANYMORE. THEREFORE HE IS IN BIG TROUBLE AND ALL THE MONEY SEEMS TO BE WASTED.
TRYING TO SAVE SOMETHING HE LENDS HIS CAR, INCLUDING BALRAM, TO TWO POLITICIANS. THEY LET BALRAM
DRIVE AROUND THE WHOLE NIGHT AND DRINK ALL THE WHISKY THAT WAS IN THE CAR.
AFTER BALRAM HAS BROUGHT THEM TO THEIR HOTEL AGAIN HE GRABS THE EMPTY BOTTLE TO GET SOME
MONEY FOR IT. AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE HE SMASHES THE WHISKY BOTTLE RIGHT ON THE FLOOR. HE PICKS THE
BIGGEST PART UP AGAIN KEEPING AND HIDING IT IN THE CAR AS A WEAPON AND TIDIES EVERYTHING, SO
NOBODY WILL NOTICE SOMETHING.
THE NEXT DAY BALRAM SEES MR. ASHOK MAKING A DEAL WITH ANOTHER SERVANT. BALRAM WONDERS IF IT IS
A NEW REPLACEMENT DRIVER.

24. HE ASKS FOR A MOMENT OFF AND GOES TOGETHER WITH HIS NEPHEW TO THE ZOO. SEEING THE WHITE TIGER
BALRAM IS SO OVERWHELMED THAT HE FAINTS.
“THE MOMENT YOU RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD, YOU STOP BEING A SLAVE.” (P. 275)
JUST ONE DAY AFTER THAT MR. ASHOK WANTS TO BE BROUGHT TO ALL THE BANKS AGAIN. WHEN THE RED BAG
WAS WELL FILLED BALRAM DRIVES TO A PART OF THE CITY WHICH IS OUT OF CIVILIZATION. NO ONE IS THERE
BUT THE TWO OF THEM.
BALRAM STOPS AND TELLS HIS MASTER A WHEEL HAS TO BE BROKEN. THE ROAD IS ALL EMPTY, SO EVERYTHING
IS PERFECT FOR BALRAM.
BALRAM ASKS HIS MASTER FOR HELP AND GETS HIM OUT OF THE CAR THIS WAY. MR. ASHOK KNEELS DOWN.
BALRAM GIVES HIM A LAST HINT SAYING, “IT’S BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT WE WENT TO
THE HOTEL IN JANGPURA”. WITHOUT ANY HESITATION BALRAM HITS HIS MASTER MR. ASHOK WITH THE BROKEN
BOTTLE AND KILLS HIM BY BREAKING HIS NECK LIKE IT’S DONE WITH CHICKENS.
BALRAM BREAKS OUT OF THE ROOSTER COOP. LEAVING THE DEAD BODY BEHIND HE DRIVES TO THE RAILWAY
STATION BUT BEFORE HE LEAVES HE THINKS OF HIS NEPHEW HE HAS LEFT ALONE. NEVERTHELESS IT’S A BIG RISK
FOR HIM HE DECIDES TO GO BACK AND CATCHES UP DHARAM.
AFTER COMMITTING THE MURDER BALRAM PLANS HOW HE CAN GET TO BANGALORE. HE DECIDES TO TRAVEL BY
TRAIN, ZIGZAGGING THE COUNTRY TOGETHER WITH HIS NEPHEW DHARAM WHO CONSIDERS THE JOURNEY AS
HOLIDAYS.

25. IN ONETRAINHE RECOGNIZESA POLICEPOSTER WITH A PHOTO OF HIMSELF. WHILETALKINGTOAN ILLITERATEMAN HE
GETS THE PROOFTHATTHEPHOTO LOOKSLIKE A STEREOTYPICALINDIAN.HE MAKESUP THEFALSE STORYTHATTHE MAN
ON THE POSTER HAS CAUGHTTWO TERRORISTS.THE OTHERMAN REMARKSTHATTHESEARCHEDMAN LOOKSLIKEHIM.
THE FIRST FOURWEEKS IN BANGALOREBALRAMNEEDSTO CALM HIS NERVESAND TO FORGETABOUTTHE MURDER.
DHARAMANDHE STAY TOGETHERAT A HOTELWHICHOFFERS GOODFOOD.BALRAMALSO REMARKSTHATBANGALOREIS
FULL OF STRANGERSAND OUTSIDERS.
BALRAMNOTICESTHATEVERYONEDRINKSCOFFEE ANDOF COURSEHE WANTS TO TRY OUTBUTHE DOESN’TKNOW HOW TO
DRINKIT AT FIRST. AFTER WATCHINGOTHERPEOPLE HE GETS TO KNOW EVERYONEDRINKSIT DIFFERENTLY.
AS WELL BALRAMHAS DOUBTSWHETHERBANGALOREIS THERIGHTCITYTO LIVEIN. STILL HE RENTSA FLAT AND HE
WONDERSHOWTO FIT INTOTHECITY.LIKE HE HAS HEARDTHE VOICEOF DELHIHE TRIES TO NOTICETHEVOICEOF
BANGALORE.
ACCORDINGTO THIS HE DISCOVERSTHE MOST IMPORTANTBUSINESSASPECTWHICHIS OUTSOURCING.HE REALIZESTHE
PEOPLE AREWORKINGAT NIGHTBECAUSETHEIRMASTERSLIVE IN AMERICA,SO HE ASKS HIMSELF HOW – ESPECIALLYTHE
GIRLS– COMEHOMEAGAIN.THEREISN’T A TRAINSYSTEM LIKE IN OTHERCITIES,THEREFOREHE DEVELOPSTHE IDEA OF A
TAXI SERVICE.FIRST HE HASN’TGOTA CHANCETO STARTWITH HIS BUSINESSBECAUSEEVERYCOMPANYALREADYHADAN
ORGANISATIONLIKETHAT.BUTTHEN HE TRIESTO THINKABOUTWHATMR ASHOKWOULDDO. FINALLYHE GOESTO THE
POLICEAND BRIBESTHE INSPECTORWITH MORETHAN TEN THOUSANDRUPEES. EVEN THEWANTEDPOSTER OF BALRAMIS IN
THE STATION,BUTHE HAS SUCCESS.THAT IS WHY TWO DAYS LATERA COMPANYCALLSBECAUSETHEYWANTTO HAVEA
TAXI SERVICE.
LITTLEBY LITTLETHIS “START-UP” GROWSINTOA BIGBUSINESS.BALRAMOWNS TWENTY-SIX VEHICLESAND SIXTEEN
DRIVERS.FROMNOW ON BALRAMIS THE MASTER INSTEADOF THE SERVANT.HE EVENCALLSHIMSELF ASHOKSHARMAAND
OFFERS AN OWN WEBSITEIN ENGLISH.INSTEADOF TREATINGHIS DRIVERSBADLYLIKEEVERYOTHERMASTER IN THETOWN
HE LOOKSAFTER THEMNICELY.

26. HE IS OF THE OPINION THAT HE HAS LEARNED HIS REAL EDUCATION FROM THE ROAD AND THE
PAVEMENT. BY LISTENING TO SOME MEN ON THE STREETS HE OBTAINS COURAGE THAT ONE DAY
THERE WILL BE A REVOLUTION IN INDIA WHICH WILL DESTROY THE “ROOSTER COOP”. HE OBSERVES
THAT ONLY FOUR MEN IN HISTORY HAVE LED A SUCCESSFUL REVOLUTION: ALEXANDER THE GREAT,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, MAO AND MAYBE HITLER.
BALRAM ALSO CHANGES HIS PREVIOUS MIND OF GOLDEN- COLOURED HAIR GIRLS LIKE THEY
ALWAYS ARE IN THE SHAMPOO ADVERTISEMENT. HE DOESN’T TRUST THE TV AND THE POSTERS
ANYMORE AND THINKS IT’S NOT HEALTHY. ALSO HE BELIEVES THAT THE NEPALI AND INDIAN GIRLS
ARE THE BEST PROSTITUTES.
AFTER HEARING MOBILE PHONES CAUSE CANCER IN THE BRAIN AND TESTICLES HE THROWS IT AWAY
BECAUSE HIS BRAIN IS TOO IMPORTANT FOR HIM.
THE NOVEL ENDS WITH THE STATEMENT OF BALRAM IN WHICH HE DECLARES THAT THE YELLOW
AND BROWN MEN WILL REIN THE WORLD IN ABOUT TWENTY YEARS.

27. THEMESCORRUPTION IN INDIA
THROUGHOUT BALRAM'S NARRATIVE, ADIGA CONSTANTLY EXPOSES THE PREVALENCE OF CORRUPTION THROUGHOUT ALL OF
INDIA'S INSTITUTIONS.SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, POLICE, ELECTIONS,INDUSTRIES AND EVERY ASPECT OF GOVERNMENT ARE
THOROUGHLY CORRUPT, WHILE PRACTICES SUCH AS BRIBERYAND FRAUD ARE ENTIRELYCOMMONPLACE. BALRAM'S APPROACH TO
THIS TRUTH LARGELY INVOLVES A DEEPLY CYNICAL HUMOR. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN UGLY COMPONENT TO HIS CHARACTER ARC.
IN ORDER TO ESCAPE THE "DARKNESS" AND ENTER INTO THE "LIGHT," BALRAM MUST HIMSELF BECOME A PART OF THIS SYSTEM. HIS
VICTORY IS THUS BITTERSWEET; WHILE HE HAS SUCCEEDED IN ELEVATINGHIS SOCIAL POSITION, HE CONTINUES TO LIVE IN A
COUNTRY PARALYZED BY CORRUPTION, WHICH PREVENTS TRUE PROGRESS FROM TAKING PLACE. ADIGA'S ULTIMATEPOINT SEEMS
TO BE THAT CORRUPTION NECESSARILYBREEDS CORRUPTION, UNLESS OF COURSE A GREATER REVOLUTIONREMAKES SOCIETY.
MORALITY
ULTIMATELY,THEWHITE TIGERIS A TALE ABOUT MORALITY,SUGGESTING THAT MORALITY CAN BE VIEWED AS EITHER RIGIDOR
FLEXIBLE. BALRAM EVENTUALLYEMBRACES THE LATTER OPTION. IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY MURDERINGASHOK AND RISKING HIS
FAMILY'S LIVES, BALRAM DEVELOPS AN ALTERNATE MORAL SYSTEM. HE REASONS THAT THE MONEY HE STEALS FROM ASHOK IS
RIGHTFULLYHIS, SINCE SERVANTS ARE EXPLOITED BY THE RICH, AND HE CONVINCES HIMSELF OF HIS EXCEPTIONALISM AS "THE
WHITE TIGER" IN ORDER TO RATIONALIZEHIS DECISIONS. BELIEVINGHE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS TRULY WOKEN UP TO THE
TRUTH OF THE "ROOSER COOP," HE FEELS COMPELLED TO CHANGE HIS LIFE. IN THIS SENSE, BALRAM HAS BECOME A VERSION OF
NIETZCHE'S"UBERMENSCH," OR OVER-MAN, WHO BELIEVES HIMSELF TO BE ABOVE THE MORAL AND LEGAL LIMITATIONSOF
SOCIETY. ADIGA POSES A QUESTION THROUGH BALRAM: DO WE BLAME A CRIMINAL FOR HIS DECISIONS, OR DO WE TRY TO
UNDERSTAND THOSE DECISIONS AS REACTIONS TO AN OVERLY OPPRESSIVE AND RESTRICTIVESOCIETY? ASSUMING THAT A READER
DOES NOT HAVE A DEFINITIVEANSWER, ADIGA SUGGESTS THEN THAT MORALITY IS A FLUID AND UNFIXED CONCEPT.

28. GLOBALIZATION-
THE INDIADESCRIBEDBY BALRAMIS IN THE THROESOF A MAJORTRANSFORMATION,HERALDEDIN PARTBY THE ADVENT
OF GLOBALIZATION.INDIAFINDS ITSELF AT THE CROSSROADSOF DEVELOPMENTSIN THE FIELDS OF TECHNOLOGYAND
OUTSOURCING,AS THE NATIONADAPTSTO ADDRESSTHE NEEDSOF A GLOBALECONOMY.BALRAMRECOGNIZESAND
HOPES TO RIDETHIS WAVEOF THE FUTUREWITH HIS WHITE TIGERTECHNOLOGYDRIVERSBUSINESSIN BANGALORE,BUT
THIS FORCEOF GLOBALIZATIONHAS A DARKERCOMPONENTFOR HIM AS WELL. IT THREATENSAND DISENFRANCHISES
THOSEADHERINGTO A TRADITIONALWAY OF LIFE, SUCH AS HIS FAMILY IN LAXMANGARH.HENCE,HE MUST CHANGEWHO
HE IS IN ORDERTO COMPETEIN THIS NEW WORLD.ADIGATHUS VIVIDLYCONJURESTHE TENSIONBETWEENTHE OLD AND
NEW INDIA,SUGGESTINGTHATSUCCEEDINGIN THISWORLD (AS BALRAMDOES)REQUIRESA FLURRYOF ETHICALAND
PERSONALCOMPROMISES.
SOCIALMOBILITY-
BALRAMFREQUENTLYDISCUSSESTHE ISSUES OF SOCIALMOBILITYIN THE NEW SOCIALHIERARCHYOF INDIA.HAVING
IDOLIZEDVIJAYFROMCHILDHOOD,BALRAMRECOGNIZESTHE POSSIBILITYOF MOVINGUP IN THE WORLD,BUTHAS TO
CONFRONTTHE REALITYOF SUCH MOVEMENTTHROUGHOUTHIS STORY.ONEOF THE BIGISSUES IS HOW INDIA'SSOCIAL
SYSTEM HAS CHANGED.UNDERTHE CASTESYSTEM, PEOPLE'S FATES WERE PREDETERMINED,BUTTHEY WEREHAPPY,
BELIEVINGTHEY BELONGEDSOMEWHERE.HOWEVER,THE NEW SOCIALSTRUCTUREPROMISES THEPOSSIBILITYOF SOCIAL
MOBILITY,BUTACTUALLYONLYOFFERS TWO SOCIALDIVISIONS:THE RICHAND THE POOR.THE POORAREKEPT IN AN
ETERNALSTATE OF SUBSERVIENCEAND SERVITUDETO THE RICHBY THE MECHANISMTHATBALRAMDUBS"THE ROOSTER
COOP."HOWEVER,THEY ARENOW MOREUNHAPPY BECAUSETHEREIS A POSSIBILITYOF SOCIALMOBILITYTHAT
NEVERTHELESSREMAINSOUTOF THEIRGRASP.BALRAMULTIMATELYFINDS A WAY TO BREAKFROM THE ROOSTERCOOP,
BUTIT REQUIRESHIM TO COMPROMISEHIS ETHICSANDPERSONALITY- HE HAS TO KILLHIS MASTER ANDBETRAYHIS
FAMILY.THATSOCIALMOBILITYIS A SPECTER CAPTUREDONLY THROUGHSUCH DIFFICULTMEANSIS A COMMENTON THE
UNFORTUNATEREALITYOF A WORLDBUILTMOREON LIMITATIONSTHANPOSSIBILITY.

29. IDENTITY
THE WHITETIGERISLARGELYA STORY OF SELF-FASHIONING,AS BALRAMUNDERGOESA TRANSFORMATIVEJOURNEYTO
CONSTRUCTHIS OWN IDENTITY.INSPIREDBY HIS CHILDHOODHERO,VIJAY,WHO ALSO ROSEFROM A HUMBLEBACKGROUND
TO ACHIEVESUCCESSIN THE UPPER ECHELONSOF INDIANSOCIETY,BALRAMDEDICATESHIMSELF TOSELF-IMPROVEMENT,
SO MUCHSO THATHE IS WILLINGTO DESTROYWHO HE ONCEWAS. HE SEES IDENTITYAS FLUID AND MALLEABLE,A FACT
ARTICULATEDTHROUGHTHE MANYNAMECHANGESHE EMPLOYS THROUGHOUTTHE STORY.ULTIMATELY,HE EVEN
CHOOSESA NEW IDENTITYFOR HIMSELFIN IMITATIONOF HIS MASTER,CALLINGHIMSELF ASHOK SHARMA.ANDYET THE
NOVELIS FULL OF DRAMATICIRONYREVEALINGTHAT BALRAMCANNOTFULLY REPUDIATETHEPERSON HE ONCEWAS. HE
REMAINSFULL OF UNRESOLVEDGUILTAND PROVINCIALSUPERSTITIONS,REMINDINGUS THATWHILEIDENTITYMIGHTBE
ENTIRELYFLUID, IT IS ALSOENTIRELYIMMOVABLEAS WELL.
FAMILY
THE EXTENDEDINDIANFAMILYPLAYS AN INCREDIBLYSIGNIFICANTROLEIN THE TRADITIONALWAY OF LIFE IN THE
DARKNESS.THE FAMILY IS THECORESOCIALUNIT,SO ALL ITS MEMBERSAREEXPECTEDTOACTWITH SELFLESS DEVOTION
TO ITS INTERESTS.THOUGHTHE POOR OSTENSIBLYVIEWTHIS CONSTRUCTAS A STRENGTH,BALRAMCOMESTO SEE IT AS
ANOTHERWAY THROUGHWHICHTHE POORAREKEPT IN THE "ROOSTERCOOP."FIRSTLY,THE EXPECTATIONSOF FAMILY
ENFORCELIMITATIONSTHATCANQUASH INDIVIDUALAMBITION(AS THEY ALMOSTDO WITH BALRAM).FURTHER,SINCEA
SERVANT'SDISOBEDIENCEIS VISITEDUPON HIS FAMILY,SERVANTSREMAINTRAPPED BY THEWHIMS OF THEIRMASTERS.
SOCIALMOBILITYBECOMESIMPOSSIBLE.IN ORDERTO BREAKFREE AND LIVETHELIFE OF A SUCCESSFULENTREPRENEURIN
BANGALORE,A CITY REPRESENTINGA NEW INDIA,BALRAMMUST SACRIFICEHIS FAMILY.THIS CONUNDRUMSEEMS TO
SUGGESTTHATIN ORDERTO THRIVEIN THE MODERNWORLDANDEMBRACETHEPOTENTIALSOF A NEW INDIA,THIS
TRADITIONALATTACHMENTTO THE FAMILYMUST BERELINQUISHEDIN FAVOROF A NEWFOUNDEMPHASIS ON
INDIVIDUALISM.

30. PAIRSAND DUALITIES
THE WHITETIGERABOUNDSWITH INSTANCESOF TWINNEDPAIRS ANDDUALITIES,EACHCORRESPONDINGTO ONEHALF OF A
CENTRALDICHOTOMY:THE RICHAND THE POORHALVES OF INDIA.BALRAMPOSES INDIAAS BROKENUP INTO TWO
SECTIONS,THE "DARKNESS"ANDTHE "LIGHT."EXAMPLESOF TWINNEDPAIRS FROM EACHOF THESE TWO HALVESINCLUDE:
THE "MEN WITH SMALL BELLIES"AND "MEN WITH BIGBELLIES;"THE HOSPITALWHEREBALRAM'S FATHERDIES ANDTHE
CITYHOSPITALVISITEDBY THESTORK;THE BEAUTIFULBLONDEPROSTITUTEVISITEDBY ASHOKANDTHE UGLIER,FAUX-
BLONDEPROSTITUTEHIREDBY BALRAM;THE APARTMENTBUILDINGIN DELHI ANDITS SERVANTSQUARTERSBELOW;AND
THE TWO VERSIONSOF ALL MARKETSIN INDIA(ONEFOR THE RICH,AND A SMALLER,GRIMIERREPLICAFOR THE SERVANTS).
THE MOST SIGNIFICANTOF THESE TWINNEDPAIRS IS, OF COURSE,ASHOKAND BALRAMTHEMSELVES.IT IS TELLINGTHAT
BALRAM,THE NARRATOR,VIEWS THE WORLD AS SPLIT INTO HALVES.IT REVEALSTHE EXTENTTO WHICHOPPRESSIONHAS
RUINEDHIS WORLDVIEW.
ANOTHERMEANSBY WHICHADIGAEXPLORESTHIS THEMEIS THROUGHTHE SYMBOLICREARVIEWMIRROR,WHICH
DOUBLESEVERYTHINGTHROUGHA REFLECTIONAND HENCEFUNCTIONSAS A CONDUITFOR THE CONFRONTATION
BETWEENASHOKAND BALRAM.THIS PARTICULARIMAGESUGGESTSTHATIDENTITYCANBE TRANSFERREDACROSSTHE
DIVIDE- ONECANMOVEFROM ONEAREATO ANOTHER.OTHERINSTANCESOF DUALITIESIN THE TEXTSERVETO FURTHER
HIGHLIGHTTHE EXTENTOF BALRAM'STRANSFORMATION;FOR EXAMPLE,THETWO CARACCIDENTS( PINKYMADAM'SHIT-
AND-RUNAND THEDEATHOF THE BICYCLINGBOY)DEMONSTRATEJUST HOW FAR BALRAMHAS COMEIN HIS QUESTTO
BECOMEA SUCCESSFULENTREPRENEUR.BALRAMWAS ONCEA PAWN IN THE GAME,WHEREASIN THE LATTERCASEHE HAS
FOUNDTHE POWER TO BE A REPRESENTATIVEOF THE MOREFORTUNATE"LIGHT."

31. REVIEW
Mr Aravind adiga showed the black part of India through his story of
balram halwai. His hold on the story is very strong and he explained it
in superb manner. The whole story is in a form of a letter which is the
best part of the entire story. Mr Adiga didn’t put any stone mark of
reading of the story. For readers its very easy to understand the
feeling and the situation of the protagonist. According to me the
character of Balram Halwai is justified but of course unjustified in the
eyes of law. He killed a man to achieve his goal which should not be
supported. Childhood of the Balram Halwai was tough and poor,
when he was told as “THE WHITE TIGER” he owned it and started
considering himself as white tiger which is rare and according to him,
he can do anything to achieve his goal. He was kind but changed it
all. He didn’t regret his family’s death then how could anyone ask for
his justification. According to him he was not living his life but surviving,
and for his survival he will do anything it takes.