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Essay Available:
Pages:
4 pages/≈1100 words
Sources:
1 Source
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 14.4
Topic:

Cultural Relativism in The White Tiger

Essay Instructions:

Paper 2: Applying a Lens
4-5 pages The idea for this essay is coming from your mind, which means based on your own idea.
So far this semester, we have discussed several theories and terms as ways to read and interpret literature. For this paper, you will apply ONE theory or a glossary term to ONE of the texts we have read from this semester. Your argument must explain the significance of relating the theory or term to the text you have selected. What does it reveal in your reading to apply this theory to the text? What new readings might it generate? Use the theory or term as a lens to understanding the text, not just identify its presence in the text. That is, you must not simply demonstrate that the term or theory is seen in the text. You must also explain why it is significant to reading the text altogether.
Some ideas to get you started:
Examining the consequences of Othering in The White Tiger
o far this semester, we have discussed several theories and terms as ways to read and interpret literature. For this paper, you will apply ONE theory or a glossary term to ONE of the texts we have read from this semester. Your argument must explain the significance of relating the theory or term to the text you have selected. What does it reveal in your reading to apply this theory to the text? What new readings might it generate? Use the theory or term as a lens to understanding the text, not just identify its presence in the text. That is, you must not simply demonstrate that the term or theory is seen in the text. You must also explain why it is significant to reading the text altogether.
Some ideas to get you started:
Examining the consequences of Othering in The White Tiger
These are just some ideas and suggestions you are welcome to work with. You are also welcome to generate your own theoretical read provided it is related to the course. If you are unsure, feel free to email me or see me during office hours.
Final Notes about Paper 2:
A paper that is mostly or all summary will receive a failing grade.
You are expected to quote directly and sufficiently from the texts. Again, I suggest examining one portion or scene closely. If you discuss multiple scenes, you must explain how they are directly connected (i.e. you cannot discuss 2-3 scenes separately in 2-3 paragraphs; the connection must be explained).
You can use ONE outside source, in which case, it must be cited properly and must be relevant.
Any and all quotes, paraphrase, or external material must be cited in-text and in the Works Cited. All paraphrase must be in your own words and syntax (i.e. do not copy/paste and change a few words, even with citation). Failure to cite properly is akin to plagiarism.
Do not rely on other people’s ideas for this paper; I want your unique analysis. Under no circumstances should you use another person’s analysis as your own (e.g. from summary sites like SparkNotes, &c.).
And I have been uploaded the notes from our class. Please read it. And write down some ideas based on one of the following glossary: agency -- The ability to act on behalf of oneself.
biopolitics -- in simple terms, the political regulation of the body (or bodies)
cultural relativism -- the idea that morals, beliefs, &c., differ from culture to culture, and that these differences are equally valid
foil -- a character whose qualities contrast that of the other in order to highlight certain traits through comparison.
frame story -- a story within a story.
liminal space - the space between, a space of crossing, the space just before a threshold which has yet to be crossed (e.g. the space between dreaming and waking is a liminal space)
Magical Realism - a genre that presents magical/supernatural occurrences in an otherwise realistic setting
Other -- any person or group that is outside the norm, the dominant society, &c.
paratext -- the texts that surround the main text (e.g. introductions, acknowledgements, essays, the cover of the book)
sublime -- awe-inspiring, sometimes bordering on terror.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Student’s name: Instructor: Course: Date: Cultural Relativism in The White Tiger There are several theories and terms literature scholars can use to read and interpret the readings. The argument a scholar chooses has significant meaning to the understanding of particular contexts in the text. Some of the terms and theories are agency, biopolitics, cultural relativism, foil, frame story, luminal space, magical realism, other, paratext, and sublime. The arguments literary analysts provide are significant in the establishment of the utility of a chosen term or theory to specific contexts. I have chosen to explore cultural relativism, which is the idea that beliefs and morals differ across cultures, and that the differences are equally valid. The paper provides an elaborate overview of cultural relativism in the story with suitable examples and provides the significance and application of the concept in understanding the text. The main character of the story, Balram Halwai, provides an outlook of the reality of different cultures, which enables the audience to view the cultural relativism the author describes. The first scenario is the stark contrast between the rich and the poor, in which the affluent are the masters, and the underprivileged are slaves. The playing field for both parties possesses sordid corruption and brutal injustice. The rich are the oppressors, who victimize and dispossess of the poor. The scenario in the society is of a chicken coop where employees slave away for their masters, without the thought of disobedience. In pages 173 to 174, Adiga gives the following description. ‘The servants compare to the roosters and chicken in Delhi behind Jama Masjid. Many roosters and hens are packed tightly in stuffy cages, and see the blood and organs of other roosters and hens lying about. The birds are aware of the impending doom but do not struggle for freedom.’ The situation in the coop compared to the scenario of the poor in terms of conditioning for servitude. The servants serve their masters faithfully without the thought of robbing them, even though such a stance would enable the employees to attain freedom, and live better lives. The servants undertake duties such as furniture delivery, driving cars, handling large amounts of money, and transportation of diamonds. The description suggests that the rich have trained their poor employees to become talented, strong, trustworthy, and intelligent servants who work with a focus to achieve the economic goals of their masters. Each group has accepted the situational organization in the relationship. Even individuals who do not wish to end up in perpetual servitude get entangled because of circumstances. Whoever possesses the capital controls the labor. Another component that is characteristic of the cultural relativism the book depicts is inferiority complex among the poor, and superiority complex among the rich. An example of the scenario is evident in the relations of Balram with Pinky Madam (Adiga 151). Balram questions ‘why his father never taught him to s...
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