A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ARAVIND ADIGA: THEMES, LITERARY STYLE, AND AREAS OF FOCUS

Abstract

Aravind Adiga, an influential voice in contemporary Indian English literature, is best known for his Booker Prize-winning novel The White Tiger (2008). His works critically examine socio-economic inequalities, corruption, class struggle, and the paradoxes of modern India. This research paper aims to provide a critical analysis of Adiga’s themes, literary techniques, and narrative strategies, focusing on his portrayal of marginalized voices and his contribution to postcolonial and global literature. By analyzing the socio-political environment depicted in the novel, the paper examines how Adiga critiques the rigid class structures that hinder social progress and shape individual identities. The study further investigates the role of materialism, ethics, and social pressure in influencing the choices of the characters, highlighting the fragility of social mobility in a society where class divisions are deeply entrenched. The paper argues that Adiga’s work provides a critical commentary on the complexities of urban life, where personal aspirations often collide with larger social forces, ultimately questioning the notion of upward mobility in a rapidly modernizing society.