Rhetoric of identity and power in contemporary Indian fiction: a study of self-help narratives in The god of small things, the white tiger, and a suitable boy

This paper explores the rhetoric used in three seminal works of 21st-century Indian literature: Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things, Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger, and Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy. These novels, often categorized as self-help narratives due to their explorations of identity, social mobility, and moral choices, present complex rhetorical strategies that reflect the socio-political landscape of contemporary India. By analyzing the narrative techniques, characterizations, and ethical dilemmas in these texts, the paper aims to illustrate how these authors engage with the discourse of power, caste, and personal transformation, while also challenging traditional notions of agency and responsibility. Through a critical examination of rhetoric in these works, the paper will demonstrate how each author uses language to shape the reader’s understanding of societal norms and individual empowerment.