In "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga, the dichotomy between light and darkness, morality and corruption, is explored in a manner complex in the context of the Indian socio-economic landscape. Through the lens of protagonist Balram Halwai, the novel explores the moral complexities and systemic corruption that define contemporary Indian society. Adiga skillfully juxtaposes the contrasting worlds of privilege and poverty, illustrating how morality becomes a luxury for the oppressed while corruption thrives among the powerful. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The title of the novel itself, “The White Tiger,” serves as a metaphor for the rare individual who transcends societal constraints and succeeds through cunning and ruthlessness. Balram, the eponymous white tiger, symbolizes the marginalized individual who fights his way out of darkness into the light of prosperity, albeit through morally dubious means. Adiga paints a bleak picture of rural India, depicting the lives of those trapped in “darkness”. of poverty and oppression. Through Balram's tale, we witness the despair that engulfs villages like Laxmangarh, where survival often requires compromises on integrity. The metaphor of the Ganges, with its rich, dark mud that chokes the life of the surrounding vegetation, is a powerful symbol of the suffocating hold of poverty on the aspirations of the oppressed. In the darkness of Laxmangarh, morality becomes a luxury few buy. can afford it. Balram himself reflects on the lack of a proper name given to him by his parents, a stark reminder of the dehumanizing effects of poverty. Pervasive corruption at all levels of society further reinforces the idea that survival in such environments requires a willingness to circumvent or violate moral principles. Conversely, Adiga exposes the rot at the heart of India's economic growth, highlighting the endemic corruption that underpins the success of the privileged few. The characters of Ashok and Pinky Madam, Balram's employers, represent the morally bankrupt elite who exploit the system for personal gain. Their wealth and influence protect them from the consequences of their actions, allowing them to perpetuate a cycle of corruption and exploitation. Adiga's description of India's parliamentary democracy as a farce, where votes can be bought and sold like commodities, further highlights the pervasive nature of corruption. corruption. Balram's cynical observation that one must be both "right and crooked" to succeed in such a system reveals the moral bankruptcy at the heart of Indian politics. Yet amid the darkness of corruption, Adiga offers a glimpse of light in the form of characters like Ashok, whom Balram calls "The Lamb." Ashok's genuine concern for the well-being of his servants and his wife's contempt for the inequalities of Indian society suggest that morality is not entirely extinct within the privileged class. However, their moral sense is often compromised by their desire to maintain their social status and economic privilege. Balram's own journey from darkness to light reflects India's struggle to reconcile its moral conscience with its pursuit of economic progress. As he attempts to escape poverty through deception and betrayal, Balram struggles with his own morality, ultimately adopting the ruthless pragmatism necessary for survival in a corrupt society. Through “The White Tiger”, Adiga offers a searing critique of.