The crux of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is the exploration of social inequality, moral compromise, and the pursuit of freedom in a deeply stratified society. Through the protagonist Balram Halwai's rise from a poor villager to a successful entrepreneur, the novel exposes the harsh realities of India’s rigid class system and the cost of ambition.

Key Points:

1. Breaking Free from Servitude:

   • Balram's journey symbolizes the struggle to escape the metaphorical "Rooster Coop"—a system of oppression that traps the poor in cycles of servitude and submission.

2. Moral Ambiguity and Survival:

   • The novel questions the ethics of Balram’s choices, including murder and betrayal, as he seeks to rise above his circumstances. It critiques a system that forces individuals to compromise their morals for survival.

3. Economic Divide:

   • Adiga contrasts the rural "Darkness" of poverty and lack of opportunity with the urban "Light" of wealth and success, highlighting the vast economic and social disparities in modern India.

4. Satire and Critique of Modern India:

   • The book takes a sharp, satirical look at India's rapid economic growth, which often leaves the underprivileged behind while enabling corruption and exploitation.

5. Voice of Rebellion:

   • Balram’s narration is both darkly humorous and brutally honest, making him a compelling anti-hero who embodies rebellion against societal norms and expectations.

Core Message:

The novel challenges the reader to confront uncomfortable truths about inequality, exploitation, and the cost of progress. The White Tiger ultimately delivers a powerful commentary on the lengths one might go to in breaking free from systemic oppression, and the moral complexities of ambition in a deeply unequal world. It invites reflection on whether true freedom and success are attainable without moral compromise in such a society.