ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Smita Daftardar analyzes this award-winning Indian novel published in 2008. The White Tiger tells the story of Balram, a young man who has grown up in poverty and ultimately takes to a life of crime to escape the hopelessness of servitude. The novel begins by pointing out the need for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 1 (No Poverty), since the protagonist’s lack of education and overall destitution set the story in motion. As Balram grows older and leaves his village to seek out work and opportunity in the city, the story focuses on the prosperity-related SDGs, especially SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By depicting the opposite of these sustainable development goals, The White Tiger highlights the vicious cycle of poverty, the lack of opportunity for economic advancement and social mobility, and the exclusionary practices inherent in a large power-distance society.
