It Was Like No T-Shirt Analysis

Balram realizes that being in the Light of Delhi does not mean that he has escaped from the Darkness of his past, prompting him to voluntarily refine his own habits of buying what has the most value and chewing paan in order to become an accepted part of the Light. Balram recognizes that Pinky Madam is right about his filthiness and unhygienic habits so he decides to observe and follow Mr. Ashok’s mannerism in order to fully embrace his life in the Light. Balram sees how Mr. Ashok wears a plain white shirt and admits, “It was like no T-Shirt I would ever choose to buy at a store. The larger part of it was empty and white and there was a small design in the center. I would have bought something very colorful, with lots of words and designs on
Balram recognizes his servant mentality to buy what has “better value for the money” he is paying, and realizes that in order to be an accepted part of the Light, he must change and refine his habits. Even though his mind is telling him to buy a more colorful shirt because it is has more value than a plain white shirt, he is willing to sacrifice what he believes is right to fit in with the people in the Light and further distance himself from those in the Darkness. By purchasing the plain white T-shirt, Balram is taking a step towards independence and into the Light. After buying the plain shirt, Balram proceeds to enter the mall wearing his white T-shirt in an attempt to be free and break away from his lifestyle of servitude. Even though Balram is in Delhi, the servant mentality he acquired from the Darkness still sticks with him. When Balram acknowledges his unacceptable habits, he is willing to sacrifice his identity from the Darkness in his pursuit of refinement. Pinky Madam also mentions the filthiness of his teeth as a result of him chewing paan. Balram decides to refine himself by getting rid of his old habits and buys toothpaste to reverse the effects of chewing