Psychologically, people act in different ways depending on who they are with and who they have been with. People’s actions can also change as the environment around them changes. Characters from The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga portray these characteristics as they move from city to city. Balram responds to his environment with changing levels rebellion and obedience because of his changing perspectives and goals.
As authority in Balram’s life increases, Balram is introduced to a new perspective, changing his view and opinions of the world. In Laxmangargh, Balram never had any authority figures as his schoolteacher “went to sleep… usually by noon” (Adiga 25) while the students “stole paan from his pockets… and chewed on it… [and] took turns …show more content…
I forgot. It was my birthday today” (80). Although both Balram and the officer knows that that day most likely wasn’t his birthday, Balram readily confirms his obedience by agreeing. Once Balram goes to Bangalore to work, he is introduced to a Mr.Ashok’s upper-caste lifestyle and perspective, bringing more authority into his life. When Balram first describes his room, his sees “a covered room… much nicer than sleeping on the road” (57) even though he has to sleep on the floor. Later, after Mr. Ashok comments on Balram’s room, his perspective changes to “[seeing] the room with his eyes; [smelling] it with his nose; [poking] it with his fingers”. This perspective includes “the doorway [built] for undernourished servants”, “the paint on the ceiling [peeling] off in large flakes”, spiderwebs in every corner”, and a hard bed (67). Implicitly, Balram also writes that “[he] had been so happy in this room till now” meaning that Mr. Ashok’s perspective changed Balram’s. In Delhi, Balram is introduced the the ‘darkness of the light’ and the world of corruption and deceit through his masters. The day he first arrives, he is told that the embassies are “supposed to
As authority in Balram’s life increases, Balram is introduced to a new perspective, changing his view and opinions of the world. In Laxmangargh, Balram never had any authority figures as his schoolteacher “went to sleep… usually by noon” (Adiga 25) while the students “stole paan from his pockets… and chewed on it… [and] took turns …show more content…
I forgot. It was my birthday today” (80). Although both Balram and the officer knows that that day most likely wasn’t his birthday, Balram readily confirms his obedience by agreeing. Once Balram goes to Bangalore to work, he is introduced to a Mr.Ashok’s upper-caste lifestyle and perspective, bringing more authority into his life. When Balram first describes his room, his sees “a covered room… much nicer than sleeping on the road” (57) even though he has to sleep on the floor. Later, after Mr. Ashok comments on Balram’s room, his perspective changes to “[seeing] the room with his eyes; [smelling] it with his nose; [poking] it with his fingers”. This perspective includes “the doorway [built] for undernourished servants”, “the paint on the ceiling [peeling] off in large flakes”, spiderwebs in every corner”, and a hard bed (67). Implicitly, Balram also writes that “[he] had been so happy in this room till now” meaning that Mr. Ashok’s perspective changed Balram’s. In Delhi, Balram is introduced the the ‘darkness of the light’ and the world of corruption and deceit through his masters. The day he first arrives, he is told that the embassies are “supposed to