Narrative Techniques in Adiga’s The White Tiger

Abstract

Aravind Adiga has employed fixed narrator character in The White Tiger. It is not only fixed internal character narrator but also an omniscient one. The use of omniscient fixed internal characterization does not only mean that the novel has made use of perspective of the protagonist character, Balram. Instead the novelist has offered floor to other minor characters. Their views are used restrictively, using restrictive point of view. While presenting the viewpoints of major characters, the narrator puts forward them in such a way as if he doesn’t know anything about them. There is use of objective point of view as well. The focalization is an internal one. It is expressed in perception of characters. The entire plot is focalized through the protagonist character, Balram. He seems to be not only fixed focalizor but an omniscient one. Some of the views are also focalized through minor characters. Their views are restrictively presented. So, the novel has tried to practice innovative narrative techniques. It makes use of changing mode instead of entirely consistent one. The novelist has tried to make the novel polimodal.