Title: The white tiger
Author: Aravind Adiga
Number of pages: 321
Type of story
It is the debut novel of Adiga. This novel is an epistolary novel which is written in the form of
letters of Balram Halwai (the white tiger) to the visiting Chinese Prime Minister. He
describes his life story with the goal to educate the official about entrepreneurship in India.
The novel gives a perspective on the class struggle in India at a time of modernization and
globalization. It does not give the romantic view of India that is often represented in
literature. Instead, with a little bit of dark humor, the novel tells about the complications
which developed during this period of transformation.
It gives the reader a clear and strong picture of what society in India looks like.
There is also some fiction in this book. In the letters Balram confesses to the murder of his
master Mr. Ashok. By writing down his life story he tries to explain the number of events
that led to this crime and the impact this had on his life.
Summary:
In a press release it was announced that the Chinese Prime Minister will visit India and speak
to entrepreneurs in Bangalore to hear their success story. Balram Halwai writes him a letter
telling him his life story and explaining to him what the situation really is in India.
The White Tiger tells the story of Balram Hawai, the son of a rickshaw driver in the poor part
of India. He learns to read and write at school, until he is taken away from school to work at
the teahouse. He is ambitious and cheeky and eavesdrops on the guests at the teahouse
while he is working. Here he finds out that a job as a driver earns him a lot more money. He
learns how to drive. In the end he is employed by Mr. Ashok, a rich Indian who has been to
America. Balram’s greatest desire is to escape. He eavesdrops on his boss while driving, to
gather information. He sees his chance when a bag of money has to be carried. He kills his
boss and escapes to Bangalore, to start a new life. He does this by bribing the police with the
money and starting a taxi company becoming the boss.
Main Characters:
Balram
His other names are Munna (the boy) the White Tiger and Ashok Sharma. He is a verry
ambitious person. As the son of rickshaw driver, he wants to climb up social ladder of India.
To pursue his dream, he will do everything he can to change his life and get him ahead (ike
murder and theft). First becoming a private chauffer, he later becomes a successful
businessman.
Mr. Ashok
Balram’s employer in Delhi. He is the youngest son of a notable from Balram’s village. He is
an important businessman and rich. Despite what others say about his servants, he always
remains loyal to Balram, whatever happens.
Author: Aravind Adiga
Number of pages: 321
Type of story
It is the debut novel of Adiga. This novel is an epistolary novel which is written in the form of
letters of Balram Halwai (the white tiger) to the visiting Chinese Prime Minister. He
describes his life story with the goal to educate the official about entrepreneurship in India.
The novel gives a perspective on the class struggle in India at a time of modernization and
globalization. It does not give the romantic view of India that is often represented in
literature. Instead, with a little bit of dark humor, the novel tells about the complications
which developed during this period of transformation.
It gives the reader a clear and strong picture of what society in India looks like.
There is also some fiction in this book. In the letters Balram confesses to the murder of his
master Mr. Ashok. By writing down his life story he tries to explain the number of events
that led to this crime and the impact this had on his life.
Summary:
In a press release it was announced that the Chinese Prime Minister will visit India and speak
to entrepreneurs in Bangalore to hear their success story. Balram Halwai writes him a letter
telling him his life story and explaining to him what the situation really is in India.
The White Tiger tells the story of Balram Hawai, the son of a rickshaw driver in the poor part
of India. He learns to read and write at school, until he is taken away from school to work at
the teahouse. He is ambitious and cheeky and eavesdrops on the guests at the teahouse
while he is working. Here he finds out that a job as a driver earns him a lot more money. He
learns how to drive. In the end he is employed by Mr. Ashok, a rich Indian who has been to
America. Balram’s greatest desire is to escape. He eavesdrops on his boss while driving, to
gather information. He sees his chance when a bag of money has to be carried. He kills his
boss and escapes to Bangalore, to start a new life. He does this by bribing the police with the
money and starting a taxi company becoming the boss.
Main Characters:
Balram
His other names are Munna (the boy) the White Tiger and Ashok Sharma. He is a verry
ambitious person. As the son of rickshaw driver, he wants to climb up social ladder of India.
To pursue his dream, he will do everything he can to change his life and get him ahead (ike
murder and theft). First becoming a private chauffer, he later becomes a successful
businessman.
Mr. Ashok
Balram’s employer in Delhi. He is the youngest son of a notable from Balram’s village. He is
an important businessman and rich. Despite what others say about his servants, he always
remains loyal to Balram, whatever happens.
