Balram has survived the jungle of poverty, admitting, “Once I was a driver to a master, now I am a master of drivers” (Adiga 259). He elates about his future prospects and the differences between his and Ashok’s character. Balram will not “slap, or bully, or mock [his employees]” and suggests that his example will provide the tools for their salvation; “If they notice the way I talk, the way I dress, the way I keep things clean, they’ll go up in life. If they don’t, they’ll be [slaves] all their lives” (259). The chiastic structure of Balram’s thought process is circular enough to keep his consciousness and morality from developing into guilt. Balram is haunted by the idea of not killing Ashok: “a real nightmare [is] that you lost your nerve and let Mr. Ashok get away—that you’re still in Delhi, still the servant of another man…” (269). Adiga tests the reader’s sense of Justice by reveling in a righteousness that fights cruelty with cruelty. It is a struggle of power between men, as it has historically always been. And the reader is forced to swallow that what may be just for one man may be unjust for mankind. Balram, the survivor, is the White Tiger, the exception worthy enough for life—others aren’t, if they were, they too would have succeeded and survived. But Balram, free of Ashok, is now a servant to his nephew, whom he bribes with milk, ice cream, and education. No romance, no retribution. And if Balram doesn’t believe he’s blighted by murder, he isn’t.
Where there is poverty, there isn’t justice. Or freedom.
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From the beginning of the novel, Balram's character seems honest and intriguing. He is not afraid to admit that he has murdered a man. At the same time, there is a sense that there is more to the story than his being a criminal. He laughs at the wanted poster claiming that the man described and pictured could be one of many. He is witty and cynical which makes his character appealing. It is easy to believe that he is too smart to have committed murder without a viable reason. As we go through the story, we feel sorrow and pity for Balram. We see that even Ashok, the kind master, is both ignorant and corrupt. He treats Balram as nothing better than an animal. He pokes fun at Balram's lack of education. Although he claims to be proving the issues with society, he is clearly one of the problems. He has the power to help someone from the lower castes but openly chooses not to. After watching Ashok become more and more corrupt, it is easier to excuse Balram for his murder. Balram's entrepreneurship is less questionable and seems more legitimate after hearing the struggles he endured. It appears to be fair that he has succeeded because he has been so abused by society and the caste system throughout his life.
ReplyDeleteDoes "it appear to be fair" because you would likely do the same in similar circumstances?
ReplyDeleteWe cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them. A.E.