POWER, CORRUPTION, AND THE INDIVIDUAL: THEMES IN ARAVIND ADIGA'S THE WHITE TIGER

Abstract [English]

Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger is a literary work of art that deals with power, corruption, and the individual struggle for self in modern India. Adiga was born of his background in journalism and literature; for instance, this novel brings out the protagonist, Balram Halwai; whose journey from subjugation to rebellion serves as a pivot point to dissect India’s changing socio-economic landscape.
The article examines Adiga's background, influences and the context in which he wrote "The White Tiger." Adiga is an astute observer of societal nuances, thanks to his blending journalistic insight with scholarly understanding.
A detailed description of the plot and characters forms the basis for a more profound exploration of its thematic design. Power structures within Indian society are explained and analysed along with these themes: complex rich poor links and search for freedom by the central character. The conversion of Balram as a submissive driver into an insurgent person serves as a powerful tool for critiquing corruption in various dimensions of Indian society by Adiga.
Adiga employs symbolic elements and imagery which include the use of rooster coop metaphor, darkness and light motifs or animals’ symbolism to convey the overall themes of the novel. By comparing it to other literary works and real world situations, it is possible to see how this novel stands apart from other literary works dealing with similar themes but in a different way.
Thus, The White Tiger is an influential work whose themes of power, corruption and individual struggle resonate far beyond the bounds of India. It is Adiga’s narrative genius combined with his keen socio-political observations which make the book ever relevant for provoking thoughts about intricacies of societal structures and how they interrelate with the continual search for autonomy and justice