“The White Tiger” is a novel written by Famous Indian author “Aravind Adiga”, and it was originally published in 2008. The story of novel revolves around a character, Balram Halwai, a poor man from rural India who become Successful Entrepreneur throughout the story.
THE WHITE TIGER BY ARAVIND ADIGA
The White Tiger By Aravind Adiga Summary
The White Tiger tells the story of character, Balram Halwai, a son of Rikshaw puller who become successful businessman throughout the story. The story begins with Balram Halwai, writing a series of letter to Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, who is schedule to visit India. Balram is portraying his life journey through a series of letter to Chinese official head.
The story of letters begins with Balram recalling his childhood life where he used to live in small town, Laxmigarh, India. He was born in sweet maker family and that is why he is known as Balram Halwai. He used to live with his father who was a Rikshaw puller in town. Balram was a very intelligent boy in his school but despite his intelligence and passion to study, he was forced to drop his school and pressured to work in his family’s sweet shop.
In school, Balram with his intelligence and honesty made a great impression on his school inspector, who named him “The White Tiger”. There are four people who dominates Balram’s village, they are given the name of animals by villagers; The Wild Bear, The Stork, The Buffalo and The Raven.
The story now features new character, Kusum, a grandmother of Balram who forced him to drop out of school and pressure him to work in family’s sweet shop. Balram was not good in serving people at his shop, his interest was in listening people’s conversation who visits his shop. One day, Balram overhears his customer talking about car drivers who are making huge money in Urban cities. Balram decides to become driver and requests his grandmother, Kusum to send him in driving school so that he can learn driving. His grandmother, Kusum agrees to send him only if he will give all his salary to his family.
After completing driving training, Balram started visiting people’s houses in Dhanbad for a job opportunity as driver. There comes new character, Ashok Shah, who was returning from America with his beautiful wife, Pinky Shah, and finds Balram at the gate of his home. Ashok ends up hiring Balram as his car driver. But, Ashok’s family uses Balram more as servant of their home than a driver.
As Balram was working for Ashok’s family more as a servant, he learns everything their business like what they do and how they make money. He discovers about their coal mine business like how they are selling government coal illegally to make fortune. Afterwards, Ashok with his wife, Pinky goes in Delhi for political deal. They take Balram with them as their driver. As Balram drives Ashok around Delhi, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the cruel and exploitative behavior of Indian society.
He perceive firsthand the people bounded by rich and the poor, and the merciless ways used by rich to continue their power and privilege. Balram had a hunger for success and freedom, but chooses wrong path, he plans to kill his employer, Ashok to break himself from his services and start his own venture.
The story of novel ends with Balram conducting an unexpected act of violence, which he think is important to reach his goal of becoming a successful businessman in modern India.
As a revenge for his crime Ashok’s family killed all the members of Balram’s family but Balram never visits his hometown again. Afterwards, killing his employer, Ashok, Balram uses the stolen money to starts his own taxi business in Bangalore for workers.
Balram uses his cunning and intellect to assemble a successful company, which he will expand into a big rental car company. His business is fortunate as he is able to handle the corrupt and complicated system of Indian community, and ready to use any means important to go forward.
The climax is remarkable because it shows Balram ultimate rebellion that has abused him his entire life. Nevertheless it is morally complicated moment because Balram action are violent and against the law. The climax of the story dare readers to question their own value and beliefs about justice, morality and the nature of power.
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