What Does it Take to Move From “The Darkness” into “The Light?”

Abstract

This is an analysis of what poverty, and how the thirst for greed and corruption can change a person’s perception of morality and immorality. Balram, the main character changed what others may consider the dark side of morality. The author painted Balram's actions as wrong and sinister; however, Balram’s goal of economic freedom and society’s acceptance as of him as an honorable citizen, was his excuse for whatever it took to move from the darkness of poverty to the light of success.

What does it take to move from “the darkness” into “the light”?

The White Tiger is a novel written by Aravind Adiga. It is a story that is narrated by the main character, Balram as he tells his story through letters he writes to the Premier of China. He writes to the Premier in anticipation of his visit to India, and as a successful entrepreneur, Balram wishes to help him understand his journey from abject poverty to now a respected and successful business owner. He desires that the Premier see a real story of success firsthand.

Balram family was very poor and lived in a part of India known as “the darkness,” in a village named Laxmangarh. Balram feels that there are two India’s the one the world sees as a global source for business outsourcing and advanced technology, and then the dark spaces which are poverty-stricken. Not only are the communities poor, but they are controlled by corrupt politicians and criminals who have bribed and unscrupulously climbed the latter to what is considered a success in India.

Balram is a smart youth and does well in school; however, he is pulled out early to work for his family in a tea shop. Balram continued his education in the school of life; he learned a great deal by eavesdropping on adult conversations. Balram, at the time of his narration, is a successful businessman, but the journey he took to get to his place of prominence left behind a trail of blood, even his own family.

Balram eventually starts to work as a chauffeur for one of the landlords of Laxmangarh. The family he worked for are the Storks. Their main business is stealing from the government’s coal mines, bribing officials and tax evasion, overall very unethical activities. This begins the change in Balram. He eventually begins to hate his employer and goes on in his fury to kill their son Ashok and steal a great deal of money for him.

This murder, although Balram is not positive, highly suspects that it results in the death of all his immediate family to include his brother and family. This is the blood money he uses when he escapes to Bangalore to start a taxi cab call center business, which he names White Tiger Technology Drivers. Balram behavior begins to mirror the same corruptness of his prior boss. He bribes the police to ensure the success of his business. He becomes highly influential in Bangalore. He has now entered “the light.” In an effort to escape the poverty of India’s darkness, Balram had to adopt the policies, political corruption and the system in order to enter into India’s light.

Now Balram is part of the light, the other side of India. He has not only adopted the immoral values of those he once hated, but he has taken on the identity of the man he killed, Ashok, by changing his name to Ashok Sharma. Balram in his mind believes the end justifies the mean. He is now wealthy and a respected businessman on the other side of darkness. His entrance to the light, however, is very costly.

Reference

Adiga, A. (2008). The White Tiger. New York: Free Press.