White Tiger Questions

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Another reason that Balram should marry is the fact that he is a man. Men get to screw the woman’s family as it is stated on page 51. Balram’s cousin, Kusum, left his wife two weeks after their wedding with five thousand rupees, a gold necklace and a bicycle that her family had given.[4]

- “My father was permanently cured of tuberculosis” – what happened?

Balram’s father got weak from his work as a rickshaw. His diagnose was tuberculosis and the doctors did not seem to be very loyal towards their job positions. Balram’s father was fast declared cured, though he ended up dying – probably because of the bad health care system.

- Where did Balram and his cousin Dilip work, and what did Balram do most of the time in order to educate himself?

Dilip and Balram found work in a tea shop in Dhanbad. Balram was not very dedicated towards his job, but he kept his education going by spying on customers. This way he increased his knowledge by listening to others.

- How does Balram characterize the men working in tea shops – see p. 51

“… men I say, but better to call them human spiders that go crawling in between or under the tables with rags in their hands, crushed humans in crushed uniforms, sluggish, unshaven, in their thirties or forties or fifties but still ‘boys’.”

It seems like these men have been ordered to work in a teashop, so their dedication towards it is limited. It is basically a job they must do in order to feed themselves and their family. The industry does not change at all either; it remains the same throughout the years, which is a negative motivation factor. These men show up and do their job, but their motivation is not exactly at its highest; it is simply a way of living and making money.

- Who is the Stork?

He is Balram’s Master who grew up in the same city, Laxmangarh as Balram. He has two sons, Mongoose and Mr. Ashok, who live in the same house as the Stork.

- Why does Balram touch his eye on page 90, and what is Mr. Ashok’s reaction?

Balram touched his eye when he, Mr. Ashok, and Pinky Madam passed a temple while driving. It was a mark of respect. The villagers were said to be very religious even though we get the impression that Balram simply touches his eye to impress his Master or by a mistake. Balram continues touching his eyes each time he sees a sacred tree or a temple the rest of the way.

Words to be translated

Eavesdropping: To listen secretly to a private conversation – a synonym could be to spy, to snoop, or to pry. Translated to Danish, aflytning.

Nostrils: Either of the two external openings of the nose. Translated to Danish, næsebor.

Lingering to hear: To continue/try to listen(ing). Translated to Danish, blive stående og lytte I smug.

Sewage: The waste matter that passes through sewers – a synonym could be excess or leavings. Translated to Danish, spildevand.

Sources used: dictionary.com and thesaurus.com

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