Analysis of th
IEB Prescribe
Novel
Chapter Summaries, Themes, Symbols and
Quotes included
,Videos which may broaden you
understanding
https://lce-english-department.yolasite.com/White-Tiger.php
Audio reading of the novel – 8 hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DzezCfbAbo (Part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D09Fjf3zwDs (Part 2)
, The White Tiger is structured into eight chap
Chapters Each chapter is part of Balram’s narrative, wr
letters to the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, d
his life story and the socio-economic conditio
India.
, Chapter
Summaries
Adapted from The White Tiger L
Achie
,• Balram Halwai, the protagonist, begins writing a letter to Wen Jiabao, the Chi
Premier, to explain the reality of Indian entrepreneurship. He aims to counter
idealized image of India as a global power and high-tech center.
• Balram describes his upbringing in Laxmangarh, a small village in the "Darkne
rural India. He was born into the Halwai caste, traditionally sweet-makers, bu
family was impoverished.
• Despite his intelligence, Balram's education is cut short due to financial const
school inspector recognizes his potential and calls him a "White Tiger," a rare
exceptional individual.
• Balram's family, particularly his grandmother Kusum, prioritizes survival over
education. They force him to work in a tea shop to contribute to the family's i
• Balram's ambition and desire to escape his circumstances are evident. He adm
Vijay, a man from his village who rose from poverty to become a bus conduct
• Balram hints at his future crime, stating that he killed his master, Mr Ashok, e
months after visiting his village. (foreshadowing)
,• Balram continues his letter to Jiabao, focusing on his employer, Mr Ashok, a
journey to becoming a driver.
• Balram and his brother Kishan take their father to a government hospital, w
dies due to the lack of medical care. This event underscores the systemic ne
the poor.
• Balram decides to become a driver, seeing it as a way to improve his
circumstances. He convinces his family to pay for driving lessons.
• Balram secures a job as a driver for Mr Ashok, the son of a wealthy landlord
as "the Stork." He navigates the hierarchical and competitive world of serva
• Balram rejects the notion that caste determines destiny. He believes that th
departure of the British has created a chaotic, survival-of-the-fittest environ
• Balram's family pressures him to marry and send money home. He resists,
determined to break free from their control.
• Balram visits the Black Fort and imagines defying a god who demands his
servitude. This act symbolizes his rejection of his predetermined fate.
,• Balram writes to Jiabao about his fascination with stories of great leaders
democracy, recalling his induction into India's voting system.
• On the eve of an election, a government worker registers Balram and Kish
fingerprints to vote for the Great Socialist's party. The party, symbolised b
hands breaking free from handcuffs, is rife with corruption.
• The landlords, including the Stork, form an opposition party but strike a d
with the Great Socialist, gaining leadership positions. Police threaten villa
vote for the Great Socialist.
• On election day, a man insists on voting himself and is beaten to death by
and a policeman. Balram mocks the idea that he is a murderer, noting tha
police know exactly where to find him.
• Balram learns from the Great Socialist's extortion of the Stork and uses si
tactics to blackmail Ram Bahadur, gaining the position of first driver.
• Balram drives Mr Ashok and Pinky Madam to Delhi, where Mr Ashok brie
takes the driver's seat. Balram promises the story will get darker from thi
,• Balram describes the chandeliers in his office and apartment, symbolisi
transition from darkness to light.
• Balram drives Mukesh and Mr Ashok through the polluted streets of De
observing the stark contrast between the rich and the poor.
• Balram meets other chauffeurs, including Vitiligo-Lips, who nicknames
"Country-Mouse." Balram begins to adopt the appearance and habits o
upper class.
• Pinky Madam hits a street child while driving drunk. Mr. Ashok and Mu
cover up the accident, expecting Balram to take the blame.
• Balram starts to change his appearance and behavior, mimicking his ma
style. He begins to see Mr Ashok as weak and vulnerable.
• Balram's growing resentment and the dehumanization of the lower cla
foreshadow his eventual rebellion.
,• Balram explains the concept of the Rooster Coop, comparing the psych
imprisonment of India's poor to chickens in a cage.
• Balram argues that the Indian economy depends on the poor accepting
servitude, driven by family loyalty and social conditioning.
• Balram is relieved to learn that no one reported the accident, so he wo
imprisoned. Pinky Madam, the only one with a conscience, leaves the c
• Balram takes extra care of his master, who is often drunk and tearful aft
wife's departure. He struggles to distinguish between genuine concern
self-interest.
• Mukesh reads a letter from Kusum, asking Balram to send money. Balra
it as blackmail, reinforcing the Rooster Coop mentality.
• Balram's growing resentment and the dehumanization of the lower cla
foreshadow his eventual rebellion.
, • Balram tells Jiabao how life in Delhi corrupted him, paralleling
Ashok's descent into immorality.
• Balram and Mr Ashok both eye prostitutes, and Balram is
scandalized by Mr Ashok's behavior with a woman he assume
prostitute.
• Balram begins to break rules, using the car's air conditioning a
stereo without permission. He feels supported by the city's
atmosphere of insurrection.
• Balram's disillusionment with Mr Ashok's sexual immorality le
him to adopt similar behaviors, furthering his own moral decli
• Balram's growing resentment and anger foreshadow his event
rebellion and murder of Mr Ashok.
IEB Prescribe
Novel
Chapter Summaries, Themes, Symbols and
Quotes included
,Videos which may broaden you
understanding
https://lce-english-department.yolasite.com/White-Tiger.php
Audio reading of the novel – 8 hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DzezCfbAbo (Part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D09Fjf3zwDs (Part 2)
, The White Tiger is structured into eight chap
Chapters Each chapter is part of Balram’s narrative, wr
letters to the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, d
his life story and the socio-economic conditio
India.
, Chapter
Summaries
Adapted from The White Tiger L
Achie
,• Balram Halwai, the protagonist, begins writing a letter to Wen Jiabao, the Chi
Premier, to explain the reality of Indian entrepreneurship. He aims to counter
idealized image of India as a global power and high-tech center.
• Balram describes his upbringing in Laxmangarh, a small village in the "Darkne
rural India. He was born into the Halwai caste, traditionally sweet-makers, bu
family was impoverished.
• Despite his intelligence, Balram's education is cut short due to financial const
school inspector recognizes his potential and calls him a "White Tiger," a rare
exceptional individual.
• Balram's family, particularly his grandmother Kusum, prioritizes survival over
education. They force him to work in a tea shop to contribute to the family's i
• Balram's ambition and desire to escape his circumstances are evident. He adm
Vijay, a man from his village who rose from poverty to become a bus conduct
• Balram hints at his future crime, stating that he killed his master, Mr Ashok, e
months after visiting his village. (foreshadowing)
,• Balram continues his letter to Jiabao, focusing on his employer, Mr Ashok, a
journey to becoming a driver.
• Balram and his brother Kishan take their father to a government hospital, w
dies due to the lack of medical care. This event underscores the systemic ne
the poor.
• Balram decides to become a driver, seeing it as a way to improve his
circumstances. He convinces his family to pay for driving lessons.
• Balram secures a job as a driver for Mr Ashok, the son of a wealthy landlord
as "the Stork." He navigates the hierarchical and competitive world of serva
• Balram rejects the notion that caste determines destiny. He believes that th
departure of the British has created a chaotic, survival-of-the-fittest environ
• Balram's family pressures him to marry and send money home. He resists,
determined to break free from their control.
• Balram visits the Black Fort and imagines defying a god who demands his
servitude. This act symbolizes his rejection of his predetermined fate.
,• Balram writes to Jiabao about his fascination with stories of great leaders
democracy, recalling his induction into India's voting system.
• On the eve of an election, a government worker registers Balram and Kish
fingerprints to vote for the Great Socialist's party. The party, symbolised b
hands breaking free from handcuffs, is rife with corruption.
• The landlords, including the Stork, form an opposition party but strike a d
with the Great Socialist, gaining leadership positions. Police threaten villa
vote for the Great Socialist.
• On election day, a man insists on voting himself and is beaten to death by
and a policeman. Balram mocks the idea that he is a murderer, noting tha
police know exactly where to find him.
• Balram learns from the Great Socialist's extortion of the Stork and uses si
tactics to blackmail Ram Bahadur, gaining the position of first driver.
• Balram drives Mr Ashok and Pinky Madam to Delhi, where Mr Ashok brie
takes the driver's seat. Balram promises the story will get darker from thi
,• Balram describes the chandeliers in his office and apartment, symbolisi
transition from darkness to light.
• Balram drives Mukesh and Mr Ashok through the polluted streets of De
observing the stark contrast between the rich and the poor.
• Balram meets other chauffeurs, including Vitiligo-Lips, who nicknames
"Country-Mouse." Balram begins to adopt the appearance and habits o
upper class.
• Pinky Madam hits a street child while driving drunk. Mr. Ashok and Mu
cover up the accident, expecting Balram to take the blame.
• Balram starts to change his appearance and behavior, mimicking his ma
style. He begins to see Mr Ashok as weak and vulnerable.
• Balram's growing resentment and the dehumanization of the lower cla
foreshadow his eventual rebellion.
,• Balram explains the concept of the Rooster Coop, comparing the psych
imprisonment of India's poor to chickens in a cage.
• Balram argues that the Indian economy depends on the poor accepting
servitude, driven by family loyalty and social conditioning.
• Balram is relieved to learn that no one reported the accident, so he wo
imprisoned. Pinky Madam, the only one with a conscience, leaves the c
• Balram takes extra care of his master, who is often drunk and tearful aft
wife's departure. He struggles to distinguish between genuine concern
self-interest.
• Mukesh reads a letter from Kusum, asking Balram to send money. Balra
it as blackmail, reinforcing the Rooster Coop mentality.
• Balram's growing resentment and the dehumanization of the lower cla
foreshadow his eventual rebellion.
, • Balram tells Jiabao how life in Delhi corrupted him, paralleling
Ashok's descent into immorality.
• Balram and Mr Ashok both eye prostitutes, and Balram is
scandalized by Mr Ashok's behavior with a woman he assume
prostitute.
• Balram begins to break rules, using the car's air conditioning a
stereo without permission. He feels supported by the city's
atmosphere of insurrection.
• Balram's disillusionment with Mr Ashok's sexual immorality le
him to adopt similar behaviors, furthering his own moral decli
• Balram's growing resentment and anger foreshadow his event
rebellion and murder of Mr Ashok.
