In Aravind Adiga's 'The White Tiger', the dichotomy between light and darkness, morality and corruption, is intricately explored against the backdrop of India's 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The very title of the novel, “The White Tiger,” serves as a metaphor for the rare individual who transcends social constraints and achieves success through cunning and ruthlessness. Balram, the eponymous white tiger, symbolizes the marginalized individual who manages to make his way from darkness into the light of prosperity, albeit through morally dubious means. Adiga paints a bleak picture of rural India, describing the lives of those trapped in the "darkness" of poverty and oppression. Through Balram's narrative, we witness the hopelessness and hopelessness that pervades villages like Laxmangarh, where survival often requires a compromise of integrity. The metaphor of the Ganges, with its rich, dark mud choking the life of the surrounding vegetation, serves as a powerful symbol of poverty's suffocating hold on the aspirations of the oppressed. In the darkness of Laxmangarh, morality becomes a luxury that few can afford. 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. Rampant corruption at every level of society further reinforces the idea that survival in such environments requires a willingness to bend or break moral principles. Instead, Adiga exposes the rot underlying India's economic growth, highlighting the endemic corruption that underpins society's success. 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 protects them from the consequences of their actions, allowing them to perpetuate a cycle of corruption and exploitation. Adiga's portrayal of Indian parliamentary democracy as a farce, where votes can be bought and sold like commodities, further highlights the pervasive nature of corruption. Balram's cynical observation that one must be both "reptile and corrupt" to succeed in such a system highlights the moral bankruptcy at the heart of Indian politics. Yet, amidst the darkness of corruption, Adiga offers glimpses of light in the form of characters like Ashok, who Balram nicknames "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 among the privileged class. However, their moral compass is often compromised by the desire to maintain their social status and economic privilege. Balram's journey from darkness to light mirrors India's struggle to reconcile its moral conscience with the pursuit of economic progress. As he works his way out of poverty through deception and betrayal, Balram grapples with his own morality, ultimately embracing the ruthless pragmatism necessary to survive in a corrupt society. Through "The White Tiger", Adiga offers a searing critique of India's social and political situation. landscape, exposing the.