Portrayals of Ethical Decay in the Selected Novels of Aravind Adiga

This article attempts to discern how the modern Indian writer Aravind Adiga has used literature to expose the moral and social rot in Indian society. In contrast to the majority of Indian writers who romanticize Indian tradition and culture, Adiga would rather excavate the corruption, injustice, and lawlessness that reign supreme between the poor and the rich. Novels, with sarcasm and satire oozing from every page, reveal serious moral issues that otherwise remain unnoticed. Though there is no denying the applicability of the themes, what stands out is the significant lack of any academic interest in Adiga’s presentation of moral decadence in the background of Indian democracy. To bridge this gap, the present paper shall try to study major themes in Adiga’s fiction, especially how his fiction and characters reflect the deep-seated faults of Indian society. By making a thematic analysis of his satirical fiction, the study shall illustrate how Adiga’s fiction reflects the social maladies suffered by people belonging to different economic strata. Through discussing his unique style of satire and social commentary, this paper will make the case for Adiga’s role in the broader discussion of the complexities of modern India.