Change in Personality

One's greed and their viciousness can demoralize the human and transform them into someone completely different from what they originally were. In Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger, the main character, Balram, starts off as a caring and considerate young boy. After moving to Delhi, Balram's greed for money changes him into a disrespectful and vicious man. In other words, Balram's arrival to Delhi modifies him from an affectionate and respectful character into a vicious individual.

Before moving to Delhi, Balram is a very respectful and affectionate young boy. Firstly, Balram's caring personality is presented as he tells his father not to harm the lizard that made him sprint back home because of his fear. As he tries to protect the lizard, he exclaims, "don't kill it Daddy- just throw it out the window, please" (Adiga, 25). Even though the lizard embarrasses Balram and makes him look like a coward in front of everyone, Balram still does everything he can to protect the animal from harm, displaying himself as an affectionate character. He does not care that the lizard is a small animal which gets killed by humans all the time, he still knows that it is wrong and does not allow his father to perform this deed. In this quotation, Balram's respect for all living things, big or small, is made clear. Secondly, Balram is shown as being respectful when the inspector comes to check if the kids in the school meet a certain educational standard. When the inspector tests Balram, Balram proves himself as the smartest student and the inspector proudly announces, "you, young man, are an intelligent, honest, vivacious fellow in this crowd of thugs and idiots" (30). Balram gets praised very highly from a respected man in the village. The inspector...

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...fe of a lizard from his dad is now killing another human for money. Before, he was respectful and affectionate towards the lizard that had embarrassed him in front of everyone, but now he does not hesitate in killing the same man who provided him with the opportunity to come to Delhi and make money. Therefore, because of his move to Delhi and his greed for money, Balram changes into a disrespectful and vicious man.

In conclusion, Balram turns from an affectionate and respectful character into a vicious and disrespectful one, upon his arrival to Delhi. While living in his village, despite living with those disrespected, Balram is able to maintain his well-mannered behaviour. After moving to Delhi, his greed for money takes over and Balram transforms into an ungrateful and disrespectful man. A small change in life usually results in a large change in personality.