A Psychological Study of Power and Identity in the context of Master-Servant dynamics in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger

This paper examines the psychological dimensions of power and identity in the master-servant relationship portrayed in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger. The Novel exhibits that servitude, desire for autonomy and upward mobility in social stairs can make one commit violence, rebellion and reshape the character of self. The postcolonial and psychoanalytical theories are implemented to analyse master-servant dynamic in the novel and portrays how class and caste-based discrimination are ingrained in social fabric of India, which may cause psychological violence. Balram, the servant’s transformation into an entrepreneur presents non-permanence of boundaries of identity in society. It may reshape under conditions of subjugation and resistance.