The Indian Caste system and the novel The White Tiger

1. The Indian Caste systemand the novel The White Tiger Mrs. YooRee Sathyamoorthy St. John’s Prep

2. The Indian Caste systemand the novel The White Tiger The story of BalramHalwai, a sweet maker and a white tiger. … what would happen if a man tried to change his caste … and become a driver?

3. “Sweet-makers,” the old driver said, shaking his head. “That’s what you people do. You make sweets. How can you learn to drive? That’s like getting coals to make ice. Mastering a car” – he moved the stick of an invisible gearbox – “it’s like taming a wild stallion- only a boy from the warrior caste can manage that. You need to have aggression in your blood. Muslims, Sikhs, they’re fighters. They can become drivers. You think sweet-makers can last long in fourth gear? Why don’t you stick to sweets and tea.”

4. "Why don't you stick to sweets & tea?" … within the boundaries of the caste … … where you belong.

5. India’s Caste system: • Brahmin: priests/educators • Khastriya: [Shutrya] military/warriors • Vaishya: farmers, herders, merchants • Sudra: [Shudra] artisans, laborers • Dalit (Untouchables): servants, butchers

6. OBJECTIVE: TWBAT (teachers will be able to) examine the role of religion, family, economics and politics in modern India and its impact on the caste system … as portrayed in… The White Tiger

7. Introduction: An introduction to castes according to Balram Halwai (Structure of novel: series of letters Balram writes to Premier Wen Jiabao of China. ) Balram’s evaluation of the caste system? Zoo analogy: • In past , when animals were encaged (caste boundaries enforced)  ORDER • Post 1947 “liberalization,” cages are open, animals attack each other  CHAOS

8. Shift from thousands of castes to just two… • Men with Big Bellies • Men with Small Bellies Only two destinies: Eat or get eaten.

9. Workshop Breakdown: • Reading 1: Religion • The Ganga, Hanuman, Sacred Cows • Reading 2: Family • Lizards, Money & Marriage, Personal Hygiene • Reading 3: Economics • The Mall, Exercise, the Rooster Coop • Reading 4: Politics • Education, justice & health care

10. Reading 1: Religion Reading selections: River Ganga: memory from childhood Hanuman: description of a Hindu god Sacred Cows: Balram’s dream after contemplating abandoning his entire family to pursue a selfish goal Action plan: Read, share readings, share reflections & analysis

11. Reading 1: Cheat Sheet Kusum – Balram’s grandmother Mr. Jiabao – Wen Jiabao Sadhus: holy men Hardwar: holy city on the River Ganga Benaras: holy city on the River Ganga Ghat: steps leading down to water Buffalo: equivalent to cow in India

12. Reading 1: Reflection What are the author’s impressions of the role of religion? What is the author’s impression of the god, Hanuman? What is the author’s impression of the sacred River Ganga? (India of Light vs. India of Darkness) What is the real “god” of the Ganga? What is the role of religion with respect to the caste system?

13. Reading 2: Family Reading selections: Lizard: memory from youth Money & Marriage: coming home as a successful driver Personal Hygiene: an epiphany moment for Balram, the successful driver Action plan: Read, share readings, share reflections & analysis

14. Reading 2: Cheat Sheet Kishan: Balram’s older brother Kusum: Balram’s grandmother The Great Socialist: pseudonym for local Member of Parliament Naxal: militant communist groups in India Pinky Madam: Balram’s employer (when he becomes a driver) Paan: equivalent to Indian chewing tobacco

15. Reading 2: Reflection Explain the expectations Balram’s father has of him. What does Balram believe his family is doing to his brother ,Kishan? To what extent does Balram resent his family and his background? What are one’s responsibilities to his family? What is the role families play with respect to the caste system?

16. Reading 3: Economics Reading selections: The mall: The “have” and “have not” of India Exercise: poor dream of being rich, rich dream of being poor The Rooster Coop: Action plan: Read, share readings, share reflections & analysis

17. Reading 3: Cheat Sheet New India: wealthy & modern India Gurgaon: suburb of Delhi aka Beverly Hills of India Vitiligo –Lips: a driver who works and lives in Balram’s apartment compound Mr. Ashok: Balram’s employer, who recently divorced Jama Masjid: largest, best-known mosque in India Goa: India’s smallest but wealthiest state renowned for beaches

18. Reading 3: Reflection What does Balram realize at the mall when a common person is rejected from entry? Explain the lifestyle of the “have” compared to the “have not.” What is the “rooster coop?” Explain the perpetual culture of servitude and the factors that make it possible. What is the role of economics in maintaining the caste system?

19. Reading 4: Politics & Political Systems Reading selections: Half-baked Indian: education in India Forced Confession: commentary on India’s judicial system Health care: commentary on India’s health care system Action plan: Read, share readings, share reflections & analysis

20. Reading 4: Cheat Sheet Mr. Ashok/Pinky Madam: Balram’s employers Honda City: equivalent to Honda Accord Kishan: Balram’s brother Uncle: generic, respectful greeting to any older male Great Socialist: pseudonym for Member of Parliament *Warning* - some language

21. Reading 4: Reflection Who or what is a half-baked Indian? What is the role of the Indian justice system in perpetuating class differences? How would you characterize health care in India?

22. Optional reading: Billions of Entrepreneurs by TarunKhanna • Personal and local politics in India • An inefficient Indian judiciary

23. Background on AravindAdiga: • Indian/Australian journalist & author • Born in Madras, emigrated to Sydney during high school • Studied literature at Columbia University • Work: • Financial/business reporter for Financial Time • South Asia correspondent for TIME • Freelance period – wrote White Tiger • White Tiger, debut novel, winner of 2008 Man Booker Prize • Currently lives in Mumbai

24. “At a time when India is going through great changes and, with China, is likely to inherit the world from the West, it is important that writers like me try to highlight the brutal injustices of (Indian) society. That's what I'm trying to do – it is not an attack on the country, it's about the greater process of self-examination.” - Aravind Adiga

25. Still not convinced? “I am India’s most faithful voter, and I still have not seen the inside of a voting booth.” (p. 86) “There you have it. That was the positive side of the Great Socialist. He humiliated all our masters – that’s why we kept voting him back in.” (p. 88) “I was looking for the key for years But the door was always open.” (p. 228)

26. Connections to other novels: • Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle – The poor in India have as much control over their own fate as the animals slaughtered in Sinclair’s novel. • Richard Wright’s Native son – awakening a nation to the realities of racial divide.

27. Resources for Teachers: • Teaching Guides: • http://www.teachingindia.org/ • South Asia Initiative at Harvard University • Friday, April 29 conference - Gandhi: Beyond the Legend • http://spice.stanford.edu/ • Global investigation on child labor (case studies: India, Uganda, U.S. )

28. Resources for Teachers: http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/ The Story of India – PBS

29. More Resources for Teachers: • Nonfiction: • Billions of Entrepreneurs by TarunKhanna • In spite of the gods, the rise of modern Indiaby Edward Luce • Fiction: • A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry • Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

30. Current Events Connections