The Legacy of Colonialism and the Struggle for Identity: Postcolonial Trauma in Aravind Adiga’s the White Tiger

Abstract

Postcolonial trauma, refers to the enduring psychological and social scars left by colonialism and its aftermath. In postcolonial contexts, trauma manifests in various forms personal, communal and cultural. It often results from systematic violence, displacement and historical injustices imposed by the colonizers. The purpose of the study is to focus on postcolonial trauma, and to describe how the lasting affects of colonialism permeate the narrative, shaping characters, identities and their societal struggles. Aravind Adiga’s Man Booker Prize winning novel The White Tiger (2008) presents realistic image of modern India. It is a saga of man’s voyage to freedom. Through the protagonist Balram Halwai, Adiga examines the psychological trauma that arises from navigating these inequalities, particularly for those trapped in the “darkness” of poverty and servitude. This novel critiques both the colonial past and postcolonial present, illustrating the deep psychological scars left by colonialism and the ongoing struggle for autonomy and recognition in a globalizing India.