A Critical Literary Analysis of The White Tiger: An Examination of Social Stratification, Corruption, and Modernity in Aravind Adiga's India

This paper, written by Jai Prakash Acharya, presents a critical literary analysis of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. The study examines the novel as an important work of contemporary Indian fiction that explores themes of social inequality, corruption, and ambition in modern India. Through a close reading of the narrative voice, character development, and thematic structure, the paper highlights how the story reflects the realities of class hierarchy and the tensions between poverty and prosperity in a rapidly changing society. Particular attention is given to the character of Balram Halwai and his transformation from a village servant into a self-made entrepreneur. His journey is analysed as both a personal narrative and a broader commentary on social mobility, moral conflict, and the structural divisions within Indian society. By examining these elements, Jai Prakash Acharya seeks to demonstrate the continuing literary and social significance of Adiga’s novel while encouraging a deeper understanding of its portrayal of modern India.