Author: Aruna Kumari K, Dr. N. Solomon Benny

Abstract: Indian Writing in English(IWE) is in a new phase now, a phase that is free from the British or English influence in its writings. IWE, though it has its origins related to British literature, has progressed in its own way and established itself as a distinct literature with its unique features, setting it apart from the world of English literature. Indian writers with their distinct themes, styles, and narration contributed to the enrichment of Indian English literature and thereby raised the status of Indian English Literature (IEL). Aravind Adiga is one of the most prominent writers in Contemporary English Writing. His debut novel, “The White Tiger,” bagged the most prestigious “The Man Booker Prize” in 2008. The novel is known for its narrative, as it is appreciated by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as “A brilliant Debut…A marvelous narrator”.He received universal acclaim for his captivating storytelling. This artistic excellence can be the result of exemplary implication of narrative techniques. At a superficial understanding, The White Tiger appears to be primarily concerned with the social injustices and class struggles prevalent in India. This research paper analyzes the feminist narratological aspects of Aravind Adiga's novel, "The White Tiger." Through the critical lens of feminism, the research study aims to understand the novel by applying the concepts introduced by Lanser's feminist narratology. Though the story is primarily about Balram and his journey from being a chauffeur to an entrepreneur, the various female characters he came across in his life and the way they are narrated give a different perspective to the total impression that one gets by reading the novel. The detailed analysis of the novel, with a focus on the portrayal of characters, particularly female characters, the exercise of power by the characters, and intersectionality, reveals a different perspective on contemporary Indian society. Through this examination, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the novel's portrayal of gender and its implications for feminist discourse.

Keywords: Narratology, Feminist Narratology, The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga, Narrative Techniques.

Article Info: Received: 03 Apr 2026; Received in revised form: 30 Apr 2026; Accepted: 04 May 2026; Available online: 07 May 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.113.4