The White TIger

Aravind Adiga

The White TIger

Aravind Adiga

Corruption in IndiaCorruption in India

How corrupt is the Indian government?

Recent corruption scandals

What people are doing about it

Anna Hazare

Jan Lokpal Bill

How corrupt is the Indian government? How corrupt is the

Indian government?

Corruption index: 87th out of 178 countries (from least to most corrupt)

>55% of Indians have paid bribes, used their influence to get jobs done in public offices successfully (Transparency International)

Recent ScandalsRecent Scandals

2011:

2010:

- Hasan Ali Khan/Money in Swiss banks- Bellary mines

- UP Food Grain Scam- Telecommunications scandals

What people are Doing

What people are Doing

ipaidabribe.com

Current ongoing national protests against government corruption

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jan_lokpal_4.jpg

Who is Anna Hazare?

Who is Anna Hazare?

Social activist, 74 years old

Started indefinite hunger strike against corruption in April

Wants to pass Jan Lokpal Bill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Hazare

Jan Lokpal BillJan Lokpal Bill

Would create independent, citizen based anti-corruption agencies in each state and for the central government.

Current anti-corruption measures not considered effective by most

However, current government is opposed to some parts of the bill

“ We’ll say it was a hit-and-run. Another car will be substituted. We keep battered cars for this purpose here.” - Assistant Police Commissioner (265)

How does the author make the reader sympathize with Balram?

How does the culture of servitude as portrayed in the novel keep the other drivers from breaking out of their misery?

“The Rooster Coop was doing its work. Servants have to keep

other servants from becoming innovators, experimenters, or

entrepreneurs.” (166)

Why does Balram refuse to follow Kusum’s orders and how is this a turning point in the novel?

Discuss the reference to caged animals/living in the Rooster Coop. What is the symbolism behind this?

Light vs. Dark

Where is the line between light and dark? Does it even exist?

What is the importance of Balram claiming his master’s name?

How does each character view the Great Socialist?