Exploring The Fragmented Self Identity, Culture and Belonging as Portrayed in The White Tiger

Abstract

This paper delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging as portrayed in Aravind Adiga’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, “The White Tiger.” It investigates the fragmented self by analysing the story of the protagonist, Balram Halwai, and negotiating the contradictions between traditional Indian beliefs and modernizing desires. The article investigates how Adiga’s novel depicts the challenges of India’s underclass, which is torn between traditional legacy and the allure of globalization. This study intends to contribute to a better understanding of the human condition in contemporary India by looking into the intersections of identity, culture, and belonging, as portrayed in Adiga’s thought-provoking story.