The document discusses symbolism in the novel The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. It begins by defining what a symbol is - something that signifies or represents something else. It then discusses several symbols used in the novel, including: 1) The White Tiger, which represents Balram's rare qualities and struggle against nature and his circumstances. 2) The Rooster Coop, representing the trapped villagers and their ignorance of their own fate. 3) The Chandelier, symbolizing Balram's struggle to escape poverty through its light in darkness. 4) Delhi, symbolizing the contrasts between rich and poor in the chaotic, confusing city. 5) The Lizard, symbol

1. Khalani Shabana M.
Paper No. 13
Semester 4
Year 2014-15
Sybmitted to: MKBU

2. What is Symbolism?
A symbol is anything which signifies something.
All words are symbols accordingly.
In discussing literature, symbol signifies an object or
event which in its turn signifies something, or has a
range of reference, beyond itself. Some symbols are
"conventional" or "public": thus "the Cross,” "the Red,
White, and Blue," and "the Good Shepherd" are terms
that refer to symbolic objects of which the further
significance is determinate within a particular culture.
~ M. H. Abrahm,
Dictionary of Literary Terms

3. How Symbolism is projected in The
White Tiger
There are several symbols
and imagery patterns in
Adiga’s “The White Tiger”. It
emphasize the huge
difference between the Class
(the rich and the poor).
Adiga projects the real image
of Laxmangarh by using
symbolism and the darker
side of India by shifting
center the character of
Balram Halwai who
murdered his boss Mr. Ashok
and he became the
entrepreneur.

4. Symbols used in The White Tiger
Symbols presented in
The White Tiger are:
The White Tiger
Rooster Coop,
Chandelier,
Delhi,
Lizard,
Black fort

5. 1. The White Tiger
Yang and Yean:
According to Chinese
Myth Yang and Yean are
energies. One signifies
Positive while the other
falls for The Darker Energy
Man vs. Nature: The
white Tiger “the rarest
animal in the jungle as
Balram is a rare man in his
village during school.
A teacher told Balram
“The white tiger. That’s
what you are in this
jungle”

6. 2. The Rooster Coop
All Roosters are trapped in
the Coop. When Roosters
are together they feel
uncomfortable. When one
rooster is taken away to
slaughter other roosters
become happy.
But the roosters in the
coop don’t know that their
turn is the next one.

7. 3. Chandelier
Chandelier is symbol
utilised for ‘light’ in
‘darkness’. It symbolises
the richness richness and
victorious of life. Balram
was a poor man and he
became rich after
murdering his boss, Mr.
Ashok. The Chandelier is
full of small diamond-
shaped glass pieces.
It shows Balram’s struggle
to get out from Poverty

8. 4. Delhi
All roads look similar in
Delhi. People keep getting
lost in Delhi.
It symbolises Rich vs. Poor
in the novel. People live on
Road side, under large
bridges and these homeless
people are a particular
problem for drivers and
people drive precious cars in
Delhi.
 Symbols of Problem of
Environmental, Social,
Cultural, Political and Moral
drawbacks.

9. 5. Lizard
Introduced in the opening
chapter lizard symbolizes
the darkness, phobia and
fear.
Lizards are the predators
which scurvies on smaller
insects and moths.
Lizards are afraid of light
so it signifies their love for
darkness.
Balram’s actions are
similar to lizards because
he murders his own boss
which is a darker act.

10. 6. Black fort
The Black Fort is the
architectural centerpiece
of Balram's village.
It stands on the crest of a
hill overlooking the
village.
The Black Fort is a symbol
of the extreme poverty
that Balram is in his village
Laxmangarh.
The Black Fort emphasizes
how desperate Balram
feels.

11. Thank You
“The doors were always
open but we were
searching for the key.”