LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 18:7 July 2018
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
         Renuga Devi, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
         Dr. S. Chelliah, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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From Rags to Riches: An Existentialist Journey of
Balram Halwai in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger

Nalini Saxena, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. Research Scholar


Courtesy: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-White-Tiger/Aravind-Adiga/9781416562603

Abstract

The present research paper is an attempt to study and analyze the existentialist journey of the Protagonist Balram from rags to riches in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger. Now the question is why his journey is existentialist and how this novel can be a part of Existentialism? What are the major themes or the point where existentialism exists in this novel? Existentialism is a 20th century movement flourishing after the Second World War, promoted by Jean-Paul-Sartre under the title ‘fortitude’ or “Courage to be”. It plays an important role to us know our own existence as individuals and to regain or change our lives according to our wishes. This research paper will focus on how different concepts of existentialism play an important role in Balram’s life. How he manages to change his life from a poor small-town boy to a rich entrepreneur in Bangalore.

Keywords: Existentialism, The White Tiger, Alienation, Authenticity, Freedom of Choice, Individuality, Transcendence, Aravind Adiga.

Introduction

The White Tiger is the first and immensely successful novel of Indian English author Aravind Adiga. Published in the year 2008, it affirms its feat in the field of literature by achieving the 40th Man Booker prize in the same year. Other novels written by Adiga are Between the Assassinations (2008) and The Last Man in the Tower (2011). Aravind Adiga, 33 at the time, was the second youngest writer as well as the fourth debut writer to win the prize in 2008.

The story of the novel begins with its protagonist Balram Halwai’s letter addressed to the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, in which he narrates his life’s story from childhood to present time. Written in seven consecutive nights, Balram explains how he, the son of a rickshaw puller, broke out of a life of enslavement to become a successful businessman, describing himself as an entrepreneur. His journey starts from Delhi, where he works as a chauffeur to a rich landlord, and then to Bangalore, the place to which he flees after killing his master and stealing his money. Ultimately, Balram transcends his sweet-maker caste and becomes a successful entrepreneur, establishing his own taxi service.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Nalini Saxena
M.A, M.Phil., Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of English
Manipal University, Jaipur
nalinisrivastava17@gmail.com
Address: A- 706, First Floor, BSNL office, Hari Marg, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan. 302017

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