Turbulence of Globalization in Rising Metropolis: A Case Study of Toltz's A Fraction of the Whole and Adiga's The White Tiger

Rashmi Mathur Assistant Professor Faculty of Policy Science, National Law University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of Arvind Adiga’s The White Tiger and Steve Toltz’s A Fraction of the Whole, examining how both debut novelists depict the turbulence of globalization in contemporary urban societies. Adiga focuses on changing trends, mindsets, and value systems in post-globalization Indian society, while Toltz sketches contemporary Australian ethos with its media obsession, rampant corruption, and maniacal pessimism. Both novels commence in rural settings and develop in urban backgrounds, breaking the mould of stereotypical portrayals of rural life as one of pristine innocence. The paper argues that both works are passionate depictions of the perils and pitfalls of rampant capitalism, deftly highlighting the social injustice and moral corruption that underpin apparently miraculous economic development.

Keywords: globalization, Arvind Adiga, Steve Toltz, The White Tiger, A Fraction of the Whole, urban fiction, capitalism

Introduction

Since globalization is the most talked about event in the contemporary world arena, there are multifarious depictions of it in late 20th and early 21st century world literature. Among the few who have wrestled with this latest fad in their creative works are Arvind Adiga and Steve Toltz. Both of them are unique writers in the lineage of modern fiction in having their maiden works — The White Tiger and A Fraction of the Whole respectively — achieve dizzying heights of spectacular success.

Adiga’s The White Tiger

Adiga’s novel The White Tiger unfolds in the Darkness, a very suggestive name for an anonymous Indian village. The protagonist Balram Halwai becomes a driver and puts an initial tentative step towards liberty when he is transferred to Delhi. Adiga very skilfully shows the transformation from village simpleton to homicidal murderer which is a concomitant result of urban influence. “For one who has led a privileged life, Adiga has captured quite unbelievably, the psyche and thought processes of the Indian underdog” (Massey).

Toltz’s A Fraction of the Whole

Steve Toltz’s A Fraction of the Whole is a gargantuan family saga spanning 700 pages and 4 generations of the Dean family. The novel is narrated in flashback by Jasper who recounts the escapades of his father, Martin (who is the most hated man in Australia) and his uncle Terry (who is the most loved man in Australia). Toltz confesses that his inspiration for writing came from negative media attention and sympathy for people who were victims of media scorn.

Comparative Analysis

Both Mr. Adiga and Mr. Toltz have attempted to delineate aspects of the contemporary globalized societies of their respective countries. The protagonists of both the writers, Balram Halwai and Martin Dean, have different kinds of compulsions and different forces working behind them. Balram is caught in the rooster coop of family and society and cannot grab success till he breaks away and escapes from this coop. Martin is caught in the web of his own inferiority which doesn’t let him lead a happy life away from his famous brother’s shadow.

Adiga masterfully describes the city of Delhi and its influence on changing Balram’s psyche. Martin’s move of migrating from his destroyed hometown to Paris also has an immense impact on his life. Both the writers craftily depict urban chaos and its influence on human psyche.

Conclusion

Both Adiga and Toltz have successfully depicted the chaos, suffering, frustration, inferiority and black misery hidden behind the global, glittering urban spectacle. The White Tiger and A Fraction of the Whole are both fantastic depictions of life in two fast globalizing nations where the pace of life seems to be accelerating but human values and moral, ethical system seems to be fast declining.

Works Cited