Research Paper : P P Savani University

 Research Paper : P P Savani University

On the 25th day of February 2023, I had the esteemed privilege to present a scholarly paper of mine, titled "A Comparative Study of Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald" at the One Day E-International Conference on Centre for Language Studies Lang Lit Teaching, Learning and Innovations: Pedagogic Issues & Remedies. My paper aimed to elucidate on these similarities and differences and to explore the impact of culture, history, and society on these works. Through my analysis, I hoped to shed light on the rich tapestry of literature and the diverse ways in which it influences and reflects the world around us.

Here is my Presentation and also the paper. 

Title: A comparative study of Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Author’s name: Emisha Ravani

Academic affiliation: Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, Gujrat, India.

Contact email address: emisharavani3459@gmail.com

Abstract:

The researcher has attempted the related literature regarding the topic of present research work. There are many comparative studies of the prominent literary works. Why is comparative studies useful to the students or scholars? To make such areas strong like critical thinking, strong writing skills and foreign language comprehension. The researcher is providing the comparative study of two novels: ‘The Great Gatsby’ by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and ‘Revolution Twenty20’ by Chetan Bhagat. Each novel comes from the different time though having the same elements like portrayal of the themes of Love, Corruption, Ambition. One novel comes from the 20th century and another one comes from 21 st century so this can be studying genetic structuralism as well. This study is compiled as research to study about the characteristics of the society when the novels have been published and the period when the author of the literary works lived while mainly discussing how different periods create different kinds of stories. It also mainly focuses on taking a glance on how society impacts the authors’ thought and perception to create such literary works.

Key words: Comparative studies, The Great Gatsby, Revolution Twenty20

1.Introduction 

This study is going to attempt the comparative study of two different novels. One is ‘Revolution Twenty20’ by Chetan Bhagat and another one is ‘The Great Gatsby’ by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald. The Researcher is going to look at both the novels through various lenses. While one belongs to the twentieth century and another is from the twenty-first century.  Along with that the American writer and an Indian writer will be discussed by their universality and literariness. Ages have influenced them in a unique way. 

This dissertation explored works by F. Scott Fitzgerald like, This Side of Paradise, 1920; The Beautiful and Damned, 1922; The Great Gatsby, 1925; Tender Is the Night, 1934; The Last Tycoon, 1941. As well as some works of Chetan Bhagat like, Five Point Someone , One Night @ the Call Center , The 3 Mistakes Of My Life , 2 States , Revolution 2020 , Half Girlfriend , One Indian Girl,  The Girl In Room 105 , One Arranged Murder .   

This work has some objectives to explore ahead like How novelists can be compared who belongs from the different continents? How has the time influenced both the writers? What is their own style and flow which is established in their works? Are there any biographical or personal influences which we read through their pens? What are those aspects which can be studied strongly under the comparative studies? From these both writers the work is coming that is very likeable by young and bright people. 

1.2 What is Comparative Literature Studies? 

Comparative Literature is a multidisciplinary field of study that explores the connections between different literary forms, cultural traditions, and ideas. It encompasses a wide range of literary works, including fiction, poetry, drama, literary non-fiction, and visual culture. The focus of Comparative Literature is not limited to one specific language, culture, or geographic region, but rather it aims to study literary works and cultural production in a global context.

The discipline of Comparative Literature is built on the idea of comparison, which means tracing connections and similarities between different works of literature and cultural production. This comparison is not limited by national or linguistic borders and encourages students to explore and understand cultures on their own terms, without imposing their own cultural or linguistic biases.

The study of Comparative Literature requires students to be proficient in more than one language, which is an essential part of this multidisciplinary program of study. By learning to read and view cultural texts in their original languages, students can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they were created. However, when students are not able to read the original text, they are encouraged to pay close attention to the translation and its effects on the meaning and interpretation of the text.

Comparative Literature is a flexible and individualized program of study that brings together a group of faculty and students who share a common interest in exploring the connections between different literary forms, cultural traditions, and ideas. By breaking down the barriers between languages, cultures, and geographical regions, Comparative Literature offers students a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world and its cultural production.

Now here it is going to be a brief introduction about the authors and some of their works to get an idea about their writing style and the area they touched upon. 

1.3 Chetan Bhagat 

Chetan Bhagat is based in India and primarily writes about contemporary Indian society, culture, and politics. His writing often focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by young people in India and aims to provide a relatable and thought-provoking perspective on modern Indian life. He writes in English and is known for his simple, straightforward writing style that appeals to a wide range of readers.

1.4 Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald

Francis Scott Fitzgerald was an American author and playwright, considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and died on December 21, 1940, in Hollywood, California. Fitzgerald is best known for his novels, including "This Side of Paradise," "The Beautiful and Damned," and "The Great Gatsby," which is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of American literature. His writing often focuses on the themes of wealth, status, love, and decadence, and explores the changes in American society during the 1920s. He is known for his vivid, lyrical prose and his ability to capture the glamour and excess of the Jazz Age. Fitzgerald's life and work continue to be widely studied and celebrated today.

1.5 The comparative aspects of the novels: 

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is a novel that explores the decadence of the 1920s and the collapse of the American dream. It focuses on the lives of the wealthy, elite and their indulgences, as well as the moral decay and disillusionment of the society. On the other hand, Revolution Twenty20 by Chetan Bhagat, written in 2012, is a novel about the Indian middle class, its aspirations, and the challenges it faces in a rapidly changing world. It deals with issues like corruption, poverty, and unemployment, and the struggles of young people to find their place in society.

The two novels are different in terms of setting and theme. The Great Gatsby is set in the United States in the 1920s, and it explores the decadence and moral decay of the wealthy elite, while Revolution Twenty20 is set in contemporary India and focuses on the aspirations and struggles of the middle class.

In terms of writing style, The Great Gatsby is written in a lyrical and elegant style, with complex and often indirect characterization, while Revolution Twenty20 is written in a more straightforward and conversational style, with simpler and more direct characterization.

In terms of characters, The Great Gatsby is characterised by larger-than-life figures such as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, while the characters in Revolution Twenty20 are more relatable, everyday people. The characters in The Great Gatsby are more flamboyant, while those in Revolution Twenty20 are more realistic and grounded in everyday life.

Both novels deal with similar themes, such as the corruption of the elite and the struggles of the middle class, but The Great Gatsby is more focused on the decadence of the elite and their moral decay, while Revolution Twenty20 is more focused on the aspirations and struggles of the middle class.

While The Great Gatsby and Revolution Twenty20 are both novels that explore similar themes, they are different in terms of setting, writing style, and characterization. The Great Gatsby is a classic that explores the decadence and moral decay of the wealthy elite, while Revolution Twenty20 is a contemporary novel that focuses on the aspirations and struggles of the middle class in India.

I love you the more in that i believe you had liked me for my own sake and for nothing else. - John Keats

We can find the influence of Keats when we get to know Fitzgerald personally. And it is depicted in the novel by the very unique portrayal of his characters. The characters of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are key characters to understand this in a better sense. 

When we go to the Chetan Bhagat we find the same thing by the three main characters. Aarti's character is swinging between both the man characters of Raghav and Gopal by their different capacities and mainly the financial ability. 

Conclusion :

Comparative Literature Studies is a discipline that examines connections between different aesthetic forms, cultural traditions, and ideas, without arbitrary stopping at national or linguistic borders. It encompasses literature, visual culture, and cultural production more broadly. Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author who writes about contemporary Indian society, culture, and politics and is known for his simple, straightforward writing style. Francis Scott Fitzgerald was an American author known for his novels exploring wealth, status, love, and decadence during the 1920s and is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. The Great Gatsby and Revolution Twenty20 are two novels that can be compared through their themes and how they reflect their respective times and cultures. The Great Gatsby explores the decadence of the 1920s and the collapse of the American dream, while Revolution Twenty20 deals with issues like corruption, poverty, and unemployment in contemporary India.

Work cited : 

(n.d.). F. Scott Fitzgerald Society – The F. Scott Fitzgerald Society is an international forum for the promotion, understanding and enjoyment of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from http://fscottfitzgeraldsociety.org/

(n.d.). Chetan Bhagat : Welcome to Stories. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from http://www.chetanbhagat.com/

John Keats Quotes - BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Inspirational Quotes at BrainyQuote. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/john-keats-quotes

Kobis, D. (2019, April). A COMPARATIVE STUDY: GENETIC STRUCTURALISM ON JANE EYRE AND THE GREAT GATSBY. Academia.edu. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.academia.edu/42828774/A_COMPARATIVE_STUDY_GENETIC_STRUCTURALISM_ON_JANE_EYRE_AND_THE_GREAT_GATSBY

What is Comparative Literature | Department of Comparative Literature. (n.d.). Comparative Literature. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://complit.uoregon.edu/what-is-comparative-literature-2/

Thank you!

The Only Story

The Only Story

Hello, I am Emisha Ravani, writing this blog as a thinking activity for the novel "The Only Story" by Julian Barnes. 

WORKSHEET 1

Brief Summary of Julian Barnes ‘The Only Story’. (Using ChatGPT)

"The Only Story" by Julian Barnes is a novel about the lifelong love affair between a middle-aged man named Paul and a younger woman named Susan. It explores themes of aging, love, loss, and regret as Paul reflects on their relationship, which begins in the 1960s and continues into the present day. As their relationship develops, they must confront societal disapproval and the challenges of navigating their age difference. Ultimately, the novel reflects on the idea that our memories and interpretations of events shape our understanding of our own lives and the people we love.

The main characters in the novel (Using ChatGPT)

The main characters in the novel "The Only Story" by Julian Barnes are:

Paul - The narrator of the story and a central character, Paul is a young man who falls in love with a woman named Susan.

Susan - The older woman who Paul falls in love with, Susan is married and struggling with the unhappiness of her own marriage.

Mrs. Peters - Susan's mother and a minor character, Mrs. Peters is portrayed as being overbearing and controlling.

Mr. Peters - Susan's husband and a minor character, Mr. Peters is depicted as being distant and uninvolved in his own marriage.

Paul's mother - Paul's mother is a minor character who is described as being devoted to her son.

Throughout the novel, the relationships between these characters and their motivations drive the story forward and explore themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

Theme Analysis using ChatGPT

The major themes in "The Only Story" by Julian Barnes are love, aging, regret, and the passage of time. The novel explores the idea of love as a source of both happiness and pain, and the character's reflections on their past experiences and choices. It also deals with the aging process, the physical and emotional changes that come with it, and the feeling of regret and longing for lost opportunities and lost youth. The theme of the passage of time is also a central one, as the narrator reflects on his life, his memories and experiences, and the way that time has shaped who he is.

Explanation of symbolism in "The Only Story"(Using ChatGPT)

The novel "The Only Story" by Julian Barnes features several symbols that serve to reinforce and expand upon the themes of the book. Here are a few examples:

The tennis club: In the novel, the tennis club symbolizes the transition from innocence to experience, as well as the restrictions and expectations placed upon the characters by society.

The yellow Porsche: The yellow Porsche represents the freedom and excitement that comes with youth, as well as the destructive power of love and desire.

The gardens: The gardens represent the passage of time and the inevitable decay and decline that come with age.

The locket: The locket symbolizes love and its ability to endure even after death.

Overall, these symbols serve to underscore the themes of love, time, and the inevitability of change and loss. They also contribute to the novel's overall mood of sadness and nostalgia for what has been lost.

Plot Analysis Using ChatGPT

"The Only Story" by Julian Barnes is a novel that follows the life of its protagonist, Paul, as he recounts his experiences from his teenage years to old age. The plot is structured chronologically, following Paul as he falls in love with an older woman, Susan, and navigates the ups and downs of their relationship. The story also explores themes of love, aging, and regret as Paul reflects on his life and the choices he has made. The novel ultimately concludes with Paul coming to terms with the passing of time and the end of his life.

A Dance of the Forests

A Dance of the Forests

 

Hello, I am Emisha Ravani, writing this blog as a task which is given by Yesha Ma'am for the unit of A Dance Of the Forest. 

Who is Wole Soyinka?

Wole Soyinka is a famous writer and political activist from Nigeria. He was born on July 13, 1934 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 for his writing. Soyinka often wrote about West Africa in a satirical way, but his writing also had a serious message about the problems with people in power.

He wrote several plays in a lighter vein, making fun of pompous, Westernized schoolteachers in The Lion and the Jewel (first performed in Ibadan, 1959; published 1963) and mocking the clever preachers of upstart prayer-churches who grow fat on the credulity of their parishioners in The Trials of Brother Jero (performed 1960; published 1963) and Jero’s Metamorphosis (1973). But his more serious plays, such as The Strong Breed (1963), Kongi’s Harvest (opened the first Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar, 1966; published 1967), The Road (1965), From Zia, with Love (1992), and even the parody King Baabu (performed 2001; published 2002), reveal his disregard for African authoritarian leadership and his disillusionment with Nigerian society as a whole.

So, here the video which we made on the Introduction of the characters from A Dance of the Forest. 

Thank you!

Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh

Gun Island 

Hello, I am Emisha Ravani, writing this blog as a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. In this blog, i am going to discuss some questions here about the novel 'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh. 

(Click here to know about the author)

Here, the video is introductory part of the whole novel 'Gun Island'. 

How does Amitav Ghosh make use of 'etymology' of common words to sustain mystery and suspense in the narrative? (Gun, Gun Merchant, Bhut, Possession, Shikul dwip, Rumali desh, Taal-misri desh)

Amitav Ghosh makes use of the etymology of common words in "Gun Island" to sustain mystery and suspense in the narrative. By delving into the history and meaning of words and phrases, Ghosh creates a rich and layered world that is full of nuance and detail.

For example, the word "gun" is central to the narrative of "Gun Island." By exploring the etymology of this word, Ghosh provides a context for the central conflict of the novel, which revolves around the trade of guns and their impact on the world. The term "gun merchant," meanwhile, adds an element of danger and intrigue, painting a picture of a shadowy figure who profits from the trade in death and destruction.

Similarly, the use of words such as "bhut," "possession," "Shikul dwip," "Rumali desh," and "Taal-misri desh" helps to create a rich and complex world that is full of mystery and uncertainty. These words and phrases, many of which are drawn from Indian languages and cultures, serve to build a sense of place and to give the story a sense of history and depth.

In this way, Ghosh makes use of etymology to create a narrative that is both mysterious and suspenseful. By weaving together elements of history, myth, and language, he creates a world that is rich in detail and full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Let us see the direct reference from the original novel which is very interesting itself:

I was sitting at my desk one day, staring blankly at my computer, when a pop-up window appeared on the screen. Inside the window were the words: ‘Does the word BHUTA mean “ghost”? Or does it mean something else?’ Unnerved by this strange manifestation I went to the bathroom and washed my face. When I came back the window was still on the screen, blinking. But now I noticed a line in small print; it said, ‘Bonduki@bonduki.com wants to start a chat session with you.’ I sat down and typed: ‘Is that you, Tipu?’ The answer appeared after a couple of seconds. ‘Sure it’s me. Now answer the question.’ ‘Why are you asking me this?’ I wrote. ‘Why don’t you look it up on the Net?’ ‘I did. And now I’m asking u. What exactly does BHUTA mean?’ I scratched my head for a bit and then fetched a dictionary. ‘Look, I’m no expert on this,’ I wrote. ‘All I can tell you is that the Bangla word “bhoot” or “bhuta” comes from a basic but very complicated Sanskrit root, “bhu”, meaning “to be”, or “to manifest”. So in that sense “bhuta” simply means “a being” or “an existing presence”.’ There was a long pause. ‘So are u and I bhutas then?’ ‘I suppose you could say so.’ ‘And what about animals? Snakes? Dolphins?’ ‘In the sense that they exist and are beings, yes, animals are bhutas too.’ ‘Then why do people mean “ghost” when they say “bhoot”?’ ‘Because “bhuta” also refers to the past, in the sense of “a past state of being”. Like when we say “bhuta-kala” or “times past”.’ Another long pause. ‘But if the same word means both “existing” and “existed” wouldn't it mean that the past wasn't past? That the past was present in the present?’ ‘In a sense yes.’ ‘But that's impossible isn't it? How can the past be present in the present?’ ‘In the same way that you might say in English “the present is haunted by the past”. I suppose that’s how the word “bhuta” has come to mean “ghost”.’ This time his response was instantaneous. ‘So are u saying that ghosts exist?’ ‘NO!’ I yelped. My fingers had hit the keyboard so hard that I had split a fingernail. But I typed on, without stopping. ‘I’m not saying that AT ALL. I’m just telling you what the word means.’ Several minutes went by before Tipu’s response appeared: ‘OK, got it.’ This was followed by a thumbs-up emoji, and then the window closed.

What are your views on the use of myth and history in the novel 'Gun Island' to draw attention of the reader towards contemporary issues like climate change and migration?

The use of myth and history in "Gun Island" is a powerful tool for drawing attention to contemporary issues such as climate change and migration.

By weaving together elements of myth and history, Ghosh creates a rich and immersive narrative that serves as a metaphor for the contemporary world. The mythical elements in the novel, such as the story of the Gun Islanders, help to create a sense of the fantastical, while the historical elements, such as the references to the lives of refugees and the impact of climate change, bring the story into the present day.

The combination of these two elements serves to create a sense of urgency around the issues of climate change and migration, highlighting the fact that these are not simply abstract or theoretical problems, but rather, issues that are affecting real people in the real world. By bringing these issues to life through the power of storytelling, Ghosh helps to engage readers on an emotional level, making them more likely to be moved to action.

In conclusion, the use of myth and history in "Gun Island" serves as an effective way to draw the reader's attention to contemporary issues like climate change and migration, making them more real and pressing by weaving together elements of fantasy and reality.

Is there any connection between 'The Great Derangement' and 'Gun Island'?

Indian writer Amitav Ghosh delivered a series of lectures on what he perceived was the lack of coverage of climate change in contemporary fiction at the University of Chicago in 2015. He would later adapt the content of the lectures into The Great Derangement. The book is composed of three parts: Part I, titled Stories, Part II, History, and Part III, Politics. The first part, Stories, explores why the modern novel struggles as an art form to describe and grapple with the concept of climate change. To understand this shortcoming, Ghosh highlights the role of the uncanny. In the second section, History, Ghosh highlights the role of colonialism in the climate crisis. With examples ranging from Miami to Mumbai to New York, Ghosh explores why urban planning deviated and deviates from the indigenous multigenerational knowledge that compelled cultures to build away from the ocean. In the final section, Politics, Ghosh notes that activists who single out capitalism as the systemic driver of climate change miss an important element: imperialism. Ghosh describes how writers and artists increased their engagement with political movements at the same time as industrial activities intensified. Ghosh ties these three sections together with a comparison between the Paris agreement and Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on climate change.

There is a connection between "The Great Derangement" and "Gun Island." "The Great Derangement" is a non-fiction book written by Amitav Ghosh, the author of "Gun Island." In "The Great Derangement," Ghosh explores the relationship between humanity and climate change, arguing that our inability to imagine the catastrophic consequences of global warming is a form of "derangement." "Gun Island" is a novel that is rooted in this same idea, as it draws on themes of climate change and environmental degradation to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world. In both works, Ghosh highlights the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of human and environmental systems and the role that imagination plays in shaping our perceptions of reality. In the book, Ghosh explores the hesitancy of literary fiction to address climate change and questions why books that do address climate change are often disregarded or looked down upon by the literati as pulp or science fiction.

Basically, this novel 'Gun Island' is the answer of the questions which were raised in 'The Great Derangement'. Mainly, He focuses on climate change and concerning about that for most, and by act of writing he proved that one can be worried about this issue and do write about it in literature under the concern of awareness towards such things or happenings. 

Gun Island | Thematic Study from Dilip Barad

Generate fan literature with the help of ChatGPT. (Promt: Generate micro fiction on Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island; Generate poem on Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island etc)

Micro fiction:

"Dinanath had always heard stories about Gun Island, a place where the dead walked and guns spoke. But he never believed it until he stepped foot on the island himself. The air was thick with the scent of salt and gunpowder, and he could hear the whispers of ghosts in the wind. As he journeyed deeper into the heart of the island, Dinanath encountered a world unlike any he had ever seen before."

Poem:

Gun Island, a place of myths and lore, 

Where the dead roam and guns speak, nothing more. 

A world of whispers carried by the sea breeze, 

A land of secrets waiting to be released.

The scent of salt and gunpowder in the air, 

A journey that tests the bravest, beyond compare. 

A path of danger, to a place beyond, 

Where the truth of Gun Island can finally be found.

Gun Island.pptx from Emisha Ravani

Thank you!