Emergence of Balram as an Entrepreneur: A study of Aravind Adiga’s “The White Tiger” in the context of McClelland's Theory of Needs

Abstract

Motivation is a process that helps a person move to achieve a goal or an objective and can be witnessed through one’s behaviour. Motivation gets its root from the word motive which is defined as a need that requires contentment. The needs can be acquired through influence of society, environment, culture, etc., or can be inborn. Thus, motivation can be extrinsic, sought through the external environment or can be intrinsic which comes from within the individual. Many approaches have been attributed by researchers to study on what motivates people to work. This paper presents an overview of David McCllenland’s Theory of Needs based on three motivational paradigms: achievement, affiliation and power and analyses the Man Booker Prize Winner, Aravind Adiga’s “The White Tiger” in the context of McCllenland’s Theory of Needs. Balram, the central character of the novel starts his life as an innocent village boy and emerges as an entrepreneur. Thus he stands as an example of achiever, substantiating McCllenland’s need for achievement.