.Social Mobility & Ambition
● “I am a white tiger, a rare creature, a creature of the light.” — Balram
Balram sees himself as unique and destined to escape poverty and rise above his class.
● “A man who wants to go somewhere, anywhere, must throw off the weight of his
family.” — Balram
To achieve success, Balram believes he must sacrifice family ties and traditional
obligations.
● “I decided to become the master, not the servant.” — Balram
This marks Balram’s turning point—he chooses to break free from servitude.
● “I am the first of my family to escape the Darkness.” — Balram
He acknowledges his break from generational poverty and social limitations.
● “The moment you recognize what is beautiful in this world, you stop being a
slave.” — Balram
Realizing the possibilities of life beyond poverty awakens Balram’s ambition.
● “Ashok was my ticket out of the Darkness.” — Balram
Balram initially views his connection to Ashok as his path to a better life.
2. Corruption & Society
● “The Rooster Coop is not a cage made of iron bars; it’s a cage made of fear.” —
Balram
Corruption and fear keep the poor trapped in servitude without physical chains.
● “Corruption flows through India like a river.” — Balram
Corruption is widespread and ingrained in all parts of Indian society.
● “When you’re in the darkness, you have to behave like the Darkness.” — Balram
To survive in a corrupt system, one must adopt its unethical behaviors.
● “We are the slaves, and this city is a jungle.” — Vitiligo Lips
The metaphor highlights the harsh survival conditions for the poor.
● “In India, the poor stay poor because they accept it.” — Mr. Ashok
This reflects the complicity of the poor in maintaining their own oppression.
● “The poor are taught to stay in their place by fear and violence.” — Balram
Power structures use intimidation to control lower classes.
3. Identity & Transformation
● “This is the story of how I became a thief.” — Balram
Balram admits to his moral transformation and criminal act as part of his rise.
● “I have always been looking for the key. But the door was always open.” — Balram
Opportunity was available all along; Balram had to recognize and seize it.
● “I am not a man to be trusted — I am the White Tiger.” — Balram
He embraces a new, dangerous identity that defies traditional morality.
● “I am a white tiger, a rare creature, a creature of the light.” — Balram
Balram sees himself as unique and destined to escape poverty and rise above his class.
● “A man who wants to go somewhere, anywhere, must throw off the weight of his
family.” — Balram
To achieve success, Balram believes he must sacrifice family ties and traditional
obligations.
● “I decided to become the master, not the servant.” — Balram
This marks Balram’s turning point—he chooses to break free from servitude.
● “I am the first of my family to escape the Darkness.” — Balram
He acknowledges his break from generational poverty and social limitations.
● “The moment you recognize what is beautiful in this world, you stop being a
slave.” — Balram
Realizing the possibilities of life beyond poverty awakens Balram’s ambition.
● “Ashok was my ticket out of the Darkness.” — Balram
Balram initially views his connection to Ashok as his path to a better life.
2. Corruption & Society
● “The Rooster Coop is not a cage made of iron bars; it’s a cage made of fear.” —
Balram
Corruption and fear keep the poor trapped in servitude without physical chains.
● “Corruption flows through India like a river.” — Balram
Corruption is widespread and ingrained in all parts of Indian society.
● “When you’re in the darkness, you have to behave like the Darkness.” — Balram
To survive in a corrupt system, one must adopt its unethical behaviors.
● “We are the slaves, and this city is a jungle.” — Vitiligo Lips
The metaphor highlights the harsh survival conditions for the poor.
● “In India, the poor stay poor because they accept it.” — Mr. Ashok
This reflects the complicity of the poor in maintaining their own oppression.
● “The poor are taught to stay in their place by fear and violence.” — Balram
Power structures use intimidation to control lower classes.
3. Identity & Transformation
● “This is the story of how I became a thief.” — Balram
Balram admits to his moral transformation and criminal act as part of his rise.
● “I have always been looking for the key. But the door was always open.” — Balram
Opportunity was available all along; Balram had to recognize and seize it.
● “I am not a man to be trusted — I am the White Tiger.” — Balram
He embraces a new, dangerous identity that defies traditional morality.
