Academic Information

● Name: Aarti Sarvaiya ● Name:Mansi Gujadiya

● Roll No.: 01 ● Roll No.:12
● E-mail: aartisarvaiya7010@gmail.com ● E-mail :mansigajjar10131@gmail.com

● Name:Rinkal Dangar ● Name:Upasana Goswami

● Roll No.:18 ● Roll No.:20
● E-mail:dangarrinkal0609@gmail.com ● E-mail: goswami
upasna339@gmail.com
● Name: Rajeshvari Rana
MA Semester 4
● Roll No.: 16
● E-mail: rhrana148@gmail.com Date: 20/02/2023

Paper Name:22414 Paper 207: Contemporary Literatures in English

Presented at Department of English, MKBU

 Table of contents
➢ Book Cover
➢ Introduction of Author
➢ Key Facts
➢ Writing Style
➢ Significance of the Title
➢ Important Characters
➢ Plot Overview
➢ Major Themes
➢ Article
➢ Conclusion
➢ References
 Author:
Chetan Bhagat

Book Cover
 Introduction of Author
➔ Chetan Bhagat is a reputed Indian author. He is a trend changer
among the Indian youths.
➔ He has written ten novels and three non-fiction. His contribution to
newspaper columns has raised the reading habits of the common
people of India.
➔ Chetan Bhagat has a special concern for Indian youths. Almost all
his novels are centered around the young generation of India. His
novel “Revolution 2020” (2011) deals with the burning issues of
Postmodern era.
➔ Chetan Bhagat projects many aspects of younger generation- their
economic conditions, education, relationships, and human values.
➔ He narrates his story in simple language so that common people can
understand what he tries to convey to society. He does not have any
fear to express his ideas to develop the nation. He wants corrupt free
India.
 Key Facts
❖ Author: Chetan Bhagat
❖ Year of Publication: 2011
❖ Setting: Varanasi, India
❖ Themes: Corruption, Education, Love, Success
❖ Plot: Focuses on three main characters - Gopal, Aarti, and Raghav
❖ Corruption: Highlights corruption in the Indian education system
❖ Love Triangle: Involves Gopal, Aarti, and Raghav
❖ Social Commentary: Offers commentary on societal issues like
pressure to succeed and integrity
❖ Reception: Received mixed reviews but was commercially successful
❖ Film Adaptation: Reports of a Bollywood adaptation, but none
released as of 2024
 Chetan Bhagat's writing style in
"Revolution 2020"
- Simple, conversational tone
- Easy-to-read narrative
- Engaging and relatable storytelling
- Focus on contemporary Indian society and its challenges
- Exposure of corruption in the educational system
- Exploration of the pursuit of success and love
- Conversational intimacy with the reader
- Portrayal of the middle class and their aspirations
- Use of everyday language and relatable situations
- Inclusion of symbols and motifs to add depth and layers of meaning to the narrative.
- Narrative time: One Single Day – around 24 hours
- Discourse time: Approximately from the age of 10 years to the age to 26 years of Gopal: 16
years of discourse time
What is the significance of the title
"Revolution 2020"
1. In an interview with India Real
Time (IRT), Amitav Ghosh
expressed concerns about
corruption in education, stating
that while he is a capitalist at
heart, he believes corruption in
education can have dangerous
consequences, particularly in
shaping an improperly trained
generation.
 What is the significance of the title "Revolution 2020"
2. "Revolution 20-20" addresses the aspirations, challenges,
and sensitive issues faced by the youth generation, with a
significant focus on their goals and dreams. While
revolution is mentioned in the novel, it is portrayed in a
vague and speculative manner, primarily through the
change of heart in a powerful character who feels guilt
and sympathy towards those striving for academic
integrity and social harmony.

3. In “Revolution 2020”, the title refers to Anna Hazare’s

anti-corruption movement and Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam’s India
vision 2020
What is the significance of the year 2020 in the novel?
● The year 2020 in Chetan Bhagat's novel "Revolution 2020" is
significant because it represents the year the main characters
aspire to bring about a revolution in India.

● The title of the novel tries to depict the near future, and the
characters' actions and decisions are meant to shape the course
of events leading up to the year 2020.

● The title also implies that the novel is a call to action, urging
readers to consider the importance of change and the role they
can play in bringing about a better future for India.
● The novel explores themes of love,
corruption, ambition, and the Indian
educational system, and the title
encapsulates the idea that a revolution is
needed to address these issues.

● Overall, the significance of the year 2020 in

the novel is that it represents a call to
action for readers to consider the
importance of change and the role they
can play in shaping the future of India.
 Learning Outcome Upasna

● Self Realization
○ The Character of Gopal in the novel realizes his mistake in the end,
which helps expose many corrupt people. Without this realization,
corruption would have continued unchecked, and the corrupt
individuals would not have been arrested.

○ However here the self realization in the novel is rather dramatic

and bollywoodish that is far from the reality. In real world maybe
someone like Gopal who have gain such fame and richness will not
do such self sacrifice and enjoy the wealth. The person who have
gone this far in corruption would not see the consequences of
their wrong doing.
Continue….
● I connected the with the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan because Chetan Bhagat aims for a
revolution in 2020, and Narendra Modi aims for
a clean India.
● Raghav starts his news paper naming it
Revolution 2020 with Dream and aim for the
corruption free society. He faces many
difficulty and at the end he fails to do so.
● The movement was launched in the year 2016
with the aim to make the clean india till the year
2019 because of the 150th anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
● The movement was rather a failure as we still
see the pollution and garbage in the large
scale.
Photograph (Choudhary and Mishra)
Important
Characters
 Characters
Phoolchand

Dubey Uncle Ghanshyam Tayaji

Anil Kashyap

Shailesh Gupta Prateek and Vineet

Father

Baba

le
nc
Father nds

U
Frie
Raghav Kashyap Gopal Mishra Aarti Prathan

Fa
th
er
Bishnu-ji
son MLA Raman Lal Shukla Pratap Brij Prathan
Keshav
Education Trusty
Girish Bedi Consultant Pro. MC Shrivastava
The GangaTech Dean
Vice Chancellor

Mangesh Trivedi Sunil

Plot Overview
Plot
● Chetan Bhagat attempt one college inauguration function - here he meet director of
this college Gopal Mishra - Both are going to gopal's home - Gopal drink alcohol -
And said his story when he was 10 year old and started his story
● 3 Friend:- Gopal -Raghav and Aarti - 5 C class-Death of Gopal’s Mother - Problem of
Land - Father was ill
7 year later
● Gopal likes Aarti - Boating in Ganga river - Beauty of Varanasi - Preparation for AIEEE
and JEE - Raghav clear ALEEE - Gopal gets low ranking - Raghav becomes a celebrity
in the town
● His father forcing to try again - Gopal was moving to Kota - Suffering lots of struggle
- Finding house, finding good coaching centre with a low budget
● Join a career Path coaching centre - In Varanasi Aarti gave her mail I'd Flying Aarti -
One night at the cyber cafe, he chatted with Aarti - who mostly talked about her
relationship with Raghav - She expressed her happiness with him and how they spent
much of their time together.
● Gopal is not a scholar but he comes in a top 20 student
● On Aarti's birthday, Gopal ran 5 km and arrived at a STD booth at 12 o'clock - He
attempted to call Aarti - her line was busy - He then tried reaching out to Raghav -
encountered the same issue - Despite attempting multiple times - he couldn't get
through to Aarti.
 Continue…
● After a few days, when they finally chatted - they ended up in a
disagreement, - Now Gopal is not speaking with Aarti.
● On Gopal's birthday - Aarti extends her wishes - but Gopal, aware of Aarti
and Raghav's relationship - feels upset.
● His academic performance suffers - Aarti fails to wish him luck for the JEE
exam - The exam didn't go well for him.
Comes back to Varanasi
● Meet Aarti she is more close to Raghav - Gopal is not happy - Raghav join a
IIT engineering college BHU - but he is interested in writing magazine and
articles
● Gopal’s father not feeling well - Result comes - Gopal was not pass - Father
was death - Gopal is alone
● Gopal meets Sunil, and together they encounter MLA Raman Lal Shukla,
whose sons live abroad
● They sign a deal, suggested by Shukla - to build an engineering college on
Gopal's father's land - Gopal as a director and Shukla as a trustee - Shukla
employs corrupt practices to further the project.
● Raghav hosts a party celebrating the success of his article - where Gopal
witnesses him kissing Aarti
● Gopal is busy in construction of college .
 Continue..
3 year later

● The opening of The GangaTech college - Raghav completes his engineering but opts
for journalism, joining a journal Dainik.
● Aarti aspires to become an air hostess, but her father opposes the idea.
● Just three days left for admissions - Gopal invites Raghav to conduct interviews -
During the interview, Raghav inquires about Mr. Shukla's involvement and the source
of funding for the college - raising questions about Shukla's political connections
and practices.
● In an article Raghav gives a wall interview - Headline of the article is “New
engineering college opens in city-with corruption money?”
● Despite Raghav's inquiries, Mr. Shukla manages to navigate the questions and
ensure the college's opening - Admissions commence as planned.
● Aarti joins the staff at Ramada Hotel - The next article, titled "Varanasi Nagar Eats,
Builder Cheats," is read by both Gopal and Shukla.
● In response, Shukla retaliates by bribing Raghav's boss - leading to Raghav losing his
job.
Continue..
● Raghav open new newspaper “Revolution 2020” - First article is “Because
Enough is Enough” - Raghav is busy in new newspaper
● Aarti close to Gopal and cheat on Raghav
● One night, Aarti and Gopal find themselves alone in a room, sharing drinks -
In a moment of intimacy, Gopal kisses Aarti, but she doesn't react positively -
As they grow closer - Aarti's discomfort becomes apparent - leaving her upset
with Gopal's actions.
● Raghav write one article “MLA makes money by making holy river filthy” - “25
crores sanctioned for Dimnapura Sewage Treatment Plant. MLA pockets 25
crore”- Raghav do a good job but his financial condition is not good
● With Shukla's resignation from his MLA seat and subsequent incarceration -
Gopal assumes control of the college - He finds success, acquiring a large
bungalow and office - Aarti visits, and their closeness is evident once more.
● Gopal is going to meet Raghav in his office but a chance encounter with poor
farmer and his kid(Keshav) who had come to Raghav for help shakes him up -
Gopal returns - Later, a newspaper article with a picture of Keshav's death
prompts Gopal to reflect on the emptiness of pursuing money, power, and
wealth.
 Continue..
● He was helped by a politician who invites two prostitutes as a
part of his birthday surprise and ensures Aarti witnesses it -
making her hate him forever.
● Gopal meet Raghav and said that Aarti loves you and also help
him to get a job and suggests he become a politician (MLA) - To
bring about the revolution he desired
● Raghav and Aarti meet - Both are getting married
● Gopal see this seen in his balcony and drink a alcohol - end of
the novel Gopal becomes a rich and successful
businessman,but still heartbroken over Aarti.
● Here Gopal’s story ended with a question

“But I am still not a good person?”

● Here Chetan Bhagat not give a answer

 Learning Outcome Mansi

● After completing the novel I will know about influential role

of politics in establishing an engineering college,
showcasing how political support can facilitate in
education.
● The protagonist, Raghav, embodies the struggle faced by
genuine individuals amidst societal and political pressures.
● While reading novel I will know about Aarti's character
transformation unveils the pitfalls of selfishness.
● The pivotal moment occurs with Keshav's death, serving as
a turning point in the novel.
Major Themes
There are Five major themes in
this novel.

➔ Love
➔ Ambition
➔ Corruption
➔ Education
➔ Politics
 Major Themes
Love :-
❏ In "Revolution 2020" by Chetan Bhagat, love
plays a big role. Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti
are best friends since they were kids.

❏ Gopal loves Aarti a lot, but she doesn't feel

the same way at first. However, as Gopal
starts doing well in life, Aarti's feelings for
him start to change.

❏ Even though Aarti initially loves Raghav,

who also loves her, she ends up marrying
him. (Sunil)
Ambition :-
❏ The theme of ambition in "Revolution 2020" by showcasing the
pressure Indian parents place on their children to excel
academically, particularly in fields like engineering.
❏ Gopal's father, a retired teacher involved in a family dispute,
epitomizes this pressure by insisting that Gopal must become
an engineer from a top college.
❏ When Gopal fails to meet this expectation, his father's
disappointment and anger are palpable, highlighting the
immense importance placed on academic success.
 Ambition :-
❏ Similarly, Prateek's situation underscores the relentless
pursuit of academic achievement, as his parents, both
teachers, send him to Kota despite his inability to crack the
exams after years of preparation. Prateek's frustration
reflects the reality faced by many students who struggle to
meet the lofty expectations set by their parents and society.

❏ Even Raghav's father, who desires nothing less than an IIT

education for his son, contributes to the theme of ambition
by exemplifying the prevailing mindset that success is
measured solely by prestigious academic institutions. (Sunil)
 Corruption :-

❏ In "Revolution 2020," corruption is a big theme. The book

shows how corruption affects different parts of Indian
society, like politics, administration, and education.
❏ In the novel, Chetan Bhagat paints a realistic picture of modern
India by portraying the evolving social and political landscape
through well-crafted characters.
❏ This creative approach sheds light on the changing dynamics of
India and how corruption plays a significant role in shaping its
future.(SURESH and RAJEST)
 Corruption :-
❏ Characters like MLA Shukla represent the corrupt politicians who misuse
their power for personal gain.
❏ Shukla's rise from being poor to being rich by stealing public money shows
how bad corruption is in politics.
❏ The novel also talks about corruption in education, especially in private
colleges.
❏ These colleges care more about making money than providing a good
education.
❏ They might promise great facilities in their brochures, but in reality, they
often don't have basic things like labs.

“I will give you the best discount. Don’t go to Sri Ganesh and ruin your life.
They don’t even have labs. Those pictures in the brochure are of another
college”.
-Jyoti Verma to Gopal
(Sunil)
Education :-

❏ The novel examines the flaws and challenges within the Indian education
system, particularly focusing on the corruption prevalent in private
colleges and the intense pressure placed on students to succeed in
competitive exams.
❏ Characters like Gopal and Prateek struggle with the education system
shortcomings, highlighting the broader issues of access, quality, and
ethics in education.

Politics :-

❏ Through characters like MLA Shukla and the backdrop of Varanasi's

political landscape, the novel exposes the deep-rooted corruption and
power dynamics within Indian politics.
❏ Shukla's corrupt practices and manipulation of the system reflect larger
societal issues, such as the abuse of political power for personal gain and
the disenchantment of the masses with the political establishment.
 Learning Outcome Aarti

● From this book, I've learned that it's important

to have a clear goal in our education.

● Looking at Aarti's character, it seems like she

doesn't really love anyone, not Gopal or
Raghav. She only seems to care about people
who can give her time and are successful.

● Aarti comes across as selfish, thinking only

about herself.

● "Education and talent seem like nothing when

political connections come in between.”
Research Articles
What is Popular Literature?
● Popular literature, any written work that is read, or is intended to be read, by a mass
audience. In its broadest sense, popular literature may include best-selling nonfiction
books, widely circulated periodicals, and certain kinds of digital texts. However, the term
is typically used to refer to works of fiction that are distinguished from what is often
called high literature, artistic literature, or simply literature. Since the late 20th century,
works of popular fiction have often been classified as genre fiction and their purported
opposite as literary fiction.(Cunningham)
● The categorical boundaries of popular literature are not strict, and the classification of
specific works may change over time. While books that sell in large quantities and
appear on bestseller lists are by definition popular, sales figures alone are insufficient
criteria for a work to be regarded as popular literature. Many works of literary fiction
have become bestsellers, just as many works of genre fiction have failed to find an
audience. In addition, literary distinction is often awarded to works that have “stood the
test of time,” by transcending the context of their initial reception, but such an
assessment cannot be made until long after the work’s publication. For instance, William
Shakespeare’s plays were considered popular literature in their day but are now widely
recognized as artistic works.(Cunningham)
Characteristics of Popular Literature (Cunningham)
● It is crafted primarily to entertain the reader, as entertainment is a quality that
attracts and appeals to a wide audience. To promote a pleasurable reading
experience.
● Works of popular fiction are usually written in a simple and straightforward
style. They are largely plot-driven, rather than character-driven.
● As such, they are intended less to provoke deep reflection or aesthetic
appreciation than to be read casually and quickly.
● While literary fiction is frequently rooted in the realities of everyday life,
popular fiction tends toward escapism.
● As American literary theorist Fredric Jameson observed, “Genres are
essentially contracts between a writer and his readers”; that is, they create and
fulfill the reader’s expectations.
● It is inexorably connected to and shaped by commercial forces.( authors are
also influenced by commercial considerations in the writing of such works,
crafting them not only to be abstractly appealing but also to satisfy current
market demands.)
History
● Only after the development of the printing press was it possible to produce
literature that could achieve a significant measure of popularity in its written
form. (Cunningham)
● Over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, the spread of elementary
education for the middle and lower classes brought about a more expansive
reading public. Additionally, the Industrial Revolution made published works
more widely accessible through the development of mass-production
technologies and improved systems of transportation and communication.
(Cunningham)
● During this time, fiction became increasingly important within the literary
landscape. The novel emerged as a popular form, especially for middle-class
readers, who acquired books from urban bookstalls and circulating libraries.
(Cunningham)
● In the late 19th century, young working-class readers devoured sensational
tales of crime and adventure. (Cunningham)
Continue..
● Many of the genres by which popular fiction is now categorized had developed by the turn
of the 20th century. By the middle of the century, genre labels had become codified by the
publishing industry as a marketing tool, exemplified by divided sections within bookstores.
Popular fiction was frequently sold as paperback books, which had become a profitable
trade owing to advances in printing. As new media technologies fueled the growth of the
entertainment industry, best-selling books became fertile fodder for film and television
adaptations.
● At the same time, a distinction widened between popular fiction and what became known
as literary fiction. Modernist writers and their followers self-consciously distanced
themselves from mass tastes, and the growing study of literature within the academy
reinforced this stratification through its formation of literary canons.
● In the early 21st century, digital publishing provided new venues for authors of popular
literature, as works could easily be disseminated outside of traditional channels. (One
notable example is fan fiction, which is based on existing fictional characters but is
unauthorized by their original creator or publisher.) E-reading devices, which allow readers
to move quickly from one title to the next, have become a common choice for consuming
genre fiction.
● As popular fiction continues to influence popular culture at large, some writers of literary
fiction draw inspiration from genre conventions.
Learning Outcome Rinkal

● While reading a novel, we had to be conscious about the events

which includes themes of Corruption, Ambition and Love.
● Even at choosing her mail id, Aarti selected “Flying Aarti”, which is
indicating her dream to be an air hostess, makes us think about
her passion for her dream job, but she ended up by being married
to Raghav and a guest manager of hotel.
● It seems as the writer have objectified Female protagonist by
locating her at periphery in the end of ‘Revolution Twenty20’
● Gopal seems to act great(There are other ways to Gopal to be
revolutionary at his own) by sacrificing his love for the revolution
and Raghav, which makes Raghav and his power of revolution
getting powerless.
● As a Popular fiction, ‘Revolution Twenty20’ serves each kind of
readers as per their interest.
Conclusion
1. However, it isn’t easy to achieve this in an unfair society
that rewards the corrupt. As Gopal gives in to the system,
and Raghav fights it, who will win?
2. Was Gopal a Good person?

The Revolution Twenty20 would sound something like getting

into Revolutionary process and characters had struggle
among Love, Ambition and Corruption. The text does not raise
or answer abstract questions thus lacks the high seriousness
and sincerity of an artistic “literary work” or fiction as it falls
under the umbrella of “popular fiction”
 References
“Ayn Rand Lexicon.” Ayn Rand Lexicon, http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/popular_literature.html. Accessed 17 February 2024.

Bhagat, Chetan. Revolution Twenty20 : Love . Corruption. Ambition. RUPA PUBLICATIONS INDIA PVT Limited, 2014.

Chaudhari, Sunil Gomaji. International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES), Narrative Technique and Style in Chetan Bhagat’s Revolution 2020,

https://www.ijoes.in/papers/v3i10/11.IJOES-SUNIL(68-78).pdf. Accessed 17 February 2024.

Chaudhari, Sunil Gomaji. “The Major Themes in Chetan Bhagat's Revolution 2020.” International Journal Of English and Studies, vol. 4, no. 3, 2022, pp. 106-110.

IJOES, https://www.ijoes.in/papers/v4i3/24.IJOES-Dr.%20Sunil(106-110).pdf.

Chetan Bhagat : Welcome to Stories, https://www.chetanbhagat.com/. Accessed 20 February 2024.

Cunningham, John M. “Popular literature | History, Definition, Examples, Books, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/popular-literature. Accessed

20 February 2024.

Muthiah, Kanna. “CHETAN BHAGAT’S ART OF CHARACTERIZATION IN REVOLUTION 2020.” Shanlax International Journal of English, vol. 3, no. 1, 2014,

https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/pdf/ENG/V3N1/ENG_V3_N1_001.pdf.

SURESH, P., and S. SUMAN RAJEST. “(PDF) AN ANALYSIS OF CHETAN BHAGAT'S REVOLUTION-2020: LOVE, AMBITION, CORRUPTION.” ResearchGate,

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338526987_AN_ANALYSIS_OF_CHETAN_BHAGAT'S_REVOLUTION-2020_LOVE_AMBITION_CORRUPTIO

N.

Accessed 20 February 2024.

Veni, M. Krishna, and Y. Vigila Jebaruby. “Societal Pressures on Youths : A Study on Chetan Bhagat’s Revolution 2020.” Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University,
Thankyou!
Prepared by
1. Aarti Sarvaiya
2. Mansi Gujadiya
3. Upasna Goswami
4. Rinkal Dangar
5. Rajeshvari Rana