Ambivalence and Power: The Complex Portrayal of Women in Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger

Abstract

Indian writers present their female characters as subordinate to cultural and socioeconomic standards in their writings. On the contrary Indian writer Aravind Adiga presents his female characters in a unique way. The purpose of this research is to examine how Indian women are portrayed in Aravind Adiga's novel The White Tiger. Due of the portrayal of the lower and upper castes, this study focuses on two female characters from opposite castes: Kusum and Pinky Madam. The result shows how Adiga portrays the contradictory personalities of his female characters. Despite their subordinate position in comparison to cultural and socioeconomic standards, they are strong and powerful individuals. Additionally, while being portrayed as the victims of Indian ideals, they control men in some ways.