1. The White TIger Aravind Adiga

2. Corruption in India How corrupt is the Indian government? Recent corruption scandals What people are doing about it Anna Hazare Jan Lokpal Bill

3. How corrupt is the Indian government? Corruption index: 87th out of 178 countries (from least to most corrupt) >55% of Indians have paid bribes, used their influence to get jobs done in public offices successfully (Transparency International)

4. Recent Scandals 2011: 2010: - Hasan Ali Khan/Money in Swiss banks - Bellary mines - UP Food Grain Scam - Telecommunications scandals

5. What people are Doing ipaidabribe.com Current ongoing national protests against government corruption http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jan_lokpal_4.jpg

6. Who is Anna Hazare? Social activist, 74 years old Started indefinite hunger strike against corruption in April Wants to pass Jan Lokpal Bill http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Hazare

7. Jan Lokpal Bill Would create independent, citizen based anti-corruption agencies in each state and for the central government. Current anti-corruption measures not considered effective by most However, current government is opposed to some parts of the bill

8. “ We’ll say it was a hit-and-run. Another car will be substituted. We keep battered cars for this purpose here.” - Assistant Police Commissioner (265)

9. How does the author make the reader sympathize with Balram?

10. How does the culture of servitude as portrayed in the novel keep the other drivers from breaking out of their misery? “The Rooster Coop was doing its work. Servants have to keep other servants from becoming innovators, experimenters, or entrepreneurs.” (166)

11. Why does Balram refuse to follow Kusum’s orders and how is this a turning point in the novel?

12. Discuss the reference to caged animals/living in the Rooster Coop. What is the symbolism behind this?

13. Light vs. Dark

14. Where is the line between light and dark? Does it even exist?

15. What is the importance of Balram claiming his master’s name?

16. How does each character view the Great Socialist?