Notes from the author of Macrat’s study manual for this novel …
“Stories of rottenness and corruption are always the best stories, aren’t they?”
– Balram aka The White Tiger –
The anti-hero trope has been trending in fiction and film. With their flawed morals, questionable actions and personal struggles, anti-heroes captivate us with their depth and complexity. The main protagonist of Aravind Adiga’s Man Booker prize-winning novel, The White Tiger, is no exception.
Most students will be instantly engaged in the protagonist’s story which he relates in an imaginary letter under the name of The White Tiger. His diction is easy to follow; his tone so personal that many will feel as if they have intercepted his mail and that this jokester is sharing his secrets with them. By the end of the first ‘chapter’ (titled ‘The First Night’), The White Tiger’s satirical comments, heart-wrenching descriptions of his home village and shocking confession will have ‘hooked’ them as they wonder how – and why – this could have happened.
Besides the unique storytelling approach, the novel also stands out when it comes to covering topical issues. It brims with current ideas and opinions, some which relate specifically to India but many which are relevant to South Africa such as inequality, corruption and social breakdown. Adiga uses his narrator to pose pertinent questions not only about the way society functions but also about the moral ambiguity that young people often face when they leave school to make their mark in an increasingly dog-eat-dog world. According to Adiga, the novel is about a young man’s quest for freedom. Whether this quest is realised by the end of the novel makes a worthy debate for students and provides food for thought in a country like ours in which millions are facing similar challenges to this anti-hero.
But that’s not all. The novel is also rich in symbolism, literary devices and figures of speech. The imagery can be unsettling at times but it is also so vivid that it can transport readers right across to India, a country with cultural connections to South Africa and familiar to many as the home of IPL cricket.
There is also an abundance of online research material on The White Tiger including articles, academic papers and analyses, and a Netflix movie adaptation of the novel starring well-known Indian actress and producer, Priyanka Chopra, offering students another dimension to exploring the plot, themes and characters.
Why do you need Macrat’s Study Manual?
Most course material for students contains copious notes and analyses which means more reading and less opportunities for students to build critical-thinking skills. Macrat’s tried-and-tested approach helps students comprehensively explore the novel by guiding them through the text and highlighting key aspects by using questions to negotiate meaning and generate discussion. This, we believe, provides the best preparation for students who might need to think out-the-box during exam time. We also include creative activities to encourage students to think in innovative ways as they engage with the text. Lastly, while The White Tiger IS a captivating novel to study, it does require sensitive handling by teachers. With Macrat’s Study Manual you will be well set to meet this challenge.
