Summary of Chapter 8

At the beginning of the last chapter, Balram explains how he maps out a plan to leave Delhi without being detected. He wants to take the train to Bangalore, but not the direct route, because is afraid that the police could see him.  His plan is to travel back home in a kind of zigzag route. 

The next thing to do was to wake up Dharam, who sleeps on the bed in Balrams room. Then they start their way to the train station. 

On the third day of travelling, Balram was at Hyderabad. While waiting for the next train he wants to buy a tea. When entering the shop he recognizes a wanted photo hanging on the wall showing him.  

When Balram and Dharam arrived at Bangalore, Balram starts to create his own taxi company with the name “White-Tiger-Driver”. The first months, he drives the car, later he hires new employees driving on his behalf. . Balram changes his name into “Ashok Sharma”, because of his illegal deals with corrupt police officers. As his drivers are working without a license, Balram appoints American people to drive the taxis.

 One day, one of his drivers had an accident with a boy on a bike. The boy died and his brother was a witness. Balram protected his driver in front of the police and again makes an illegal deal. So the police said that nobody was responsible for the accident. Balram felt guilty and went to the family of the boy to give them some cash. At this moment, Balram thinks about what happened with his family the last time.

While Balram thinks about his future, he explains to Mr. Jiabao, that in his opinion the end of the white man will come soon and in 20 years the colored and yellow people will rule the world. 

At least he himself makes plans for his own future. He does not want to run his taxi- business until he is old. He prefers a future in the real estate business, because he expects that many people from the United States will move to Bangalore building their new homes and offices in his home town.

 

At the end of the book, Balrams says, while closing his letter to the premier, that he was successful in breaking out of the Indian coop and for him personally it is the best experience ever not to be a servant anymore.

 I found and interesting link about the city Hyderabad,where Balram waits for the train....

Hyderabad-India

Here is an example for a police poster....

Police Poster

What I like/dislike in this Chapter?

I liked the decision of Balram, to travel away from his life as a servant, but that he killed Mr. Ashok was not good. What I don’t understand is, why Balram is proud of his own police poster. In my opinion I would be afraid of it.

I think it was not fair, that Balram defends his driver. The family is shocked, that one son died, but the police did nothing to punish the driver. This attitude is unbelievable.

 I´m not sure, why Balram has the opinion, that the yellows and colored people rein the world in 20 years. 

At the end of this Book “ The White Tiger”, I’m proud of Balram that he breaks out of the Indian coop, because not much servants can do that. He never give up, to fulfill his dream, to have a new life in another business.

 I liked the book "The White Tiger" from Aravind Adiga very much, because it showed the other sides of the life and that some people have dreams, which they want to fulfill. I also learned much about the indian country and his good and bad sides.

I hope, you enjoyed my reading diary.

Tim