Is he a good man?

What Defines A Good Person? POLITE NOBLE SAINT ARISTOCRAT SCHOLAR ANGEL MARTYR LOVED *according to thesaurus.com

A Bad Person Would Be Opposite? POLITE NOBLE SAINT ARISTOCRAT SCHOLAR ANGEL MARTYR LOVED *according to thesaurus.com rude hated half-baked common devil murderer vaishyas balram

Polite | rude 1. Balram observes the etiquette and manners of his betters. page | 128 Why had my father never told me not to scratch my groin? Why had my father never taught me to brush my teeth in milky foam? Why had he raised me to live like an animal? page | 253 I was smelling coffee on a daily basis. I was dying to try it out. But before you could drink it, you had to know how to drink it. There was an etiquette, a routine, associated with it that fascinated me. 2. Balram is only rude because of his ignorance.

Loved | hated 1. Balram was loved by his father. page | 224 Letter from Kusum: Also we have decided to arrange for your wedding on our own, and if you do not come here, we will send the girl to you by bus. Also we have decided to arrange for your wedding on our own, and if you do not come here, we will send the girl to you by bus. I say these things not to threaten you but out of love. page | 19 My father was a poor man, but he was a man on honor and courage. I wouldn’t be here, under the chandelier, if not for his guidance. I wouldn’t be here, under the chandelier, if not for his guidance. 2. Balram’s family uses love as a tool for manipulation.

Scholar| half-baked 1. Balram desires knowledge. page | 259 Now, despite my amazing success story, I don’t want to lose contact with the places where I got my real education in life. The road and pavement. page | 60 I absorbed everything- that’s the amazing thing about entrepreneurs. We are like sponges- we absorb and grow. 2. Balram has gained his education through observation.

Noble| common 1. Balram is unique. page | 128 I was sure the guard in front of the door would challenge me and say, No, you’re not allowed in, even with a pair of black shoes and a T-shirt that is mostly white with just one English word on it. page | 30 You, young man, are an intelligent, honest, vivacious fellow in this crowd of thugs and idiots. In any jungle, what is the rarest of animals- the creature that comes along only once in a generation? The white tiger. 2. Balram mimics the noble in appearance.

Angel | devil 1. Balram is a guiding spirit. page | 75 God says: I am powerful. I am huge. Become my servant again. Devil says: Ha! I see the little man in the khaki uniform spitting at God again and again… page | 159 Lord Krishna – another of history’s famous chauffeurs – stops the chariot he is driving and give his passenger some excellent advice on life and death. Like Krishna I philosophized – I joked – I even sang a song – all to make Mr. Ashok feel better Balram rejects being a servant.

Saint | murderer 1. Balram expounds his virtues. page | 262 It’s just that here (Bangalore), if a man wants to be good, he can be good. In Laxmangarh, he doesn’t even have this choice. That is the difference between this India and that India: the choice. page | I am a good driver, sir. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t steal. I don’t disrespect God, I don’t disrespect my family. I don’t gossip about my masters, I don’t steal, I don’t blaspheme Balram is trying to make amends.

Bhagavad Gita: Good Characteristics Intelligence Spiritual vision Victory over delusion Patient forgiveness TruthSelf-harmonyPeacefulness Simple austerity Generosity -Lesson 10 pg 47

Bhagavad Gita: Bad Characteristics SelfishArrogantViolentAngryLustPrideInsolent Insatiable desires Delusions -Lesson 16 pg 74

Humans are imperfect. The Bhagavad Gita is telling us: God is required for men to see their potential. God has given men dharma. Human’s knowledge is incomplete. If humans seek knowledge the Gods will provide it.

What is Balram Halwai? Is he a thief? Is he an idealist? Is he an opportunist? Is he a revolutionary? Is he a psychopath? Is he a philosopher?

Martyr | balram halwai Martyr: One who makes great sacrifices, or suffers much, in order to further a belief, cause, or principle. Is Balram a good man?

Polite & Rude | Loved & Hated | Scholar & Half-baked | pg Noble & Common | Angel & Devil | Saint & Murderer | Animal | Additional References: “You were looking for the key for years - But the door was always open!” - 216