Dissertation - Conclusion

Dissertation - Conclusion

Name: Emisha Ravani

Paper: 210A:

Research Project Writing: Dissertation Writing

Roll no: 07

Enrollment no: 4069206420210031

Email id: emisharavani3459@gmail.com

Batch: 2021-2023(M.A. Sem 4) 

Submitted to: S. B. Gardi Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

Conclusion

This dissertation endeavors to draw a comparison between two distinguished novels that hail from divergent continents and centuries. Despite the geographical and temporal dissimilarities, the literary works share both commonalities and divergences, intriguingly reflecting the essence of universalism and literariness of the authors.

The authors, each in their own right, have produced literary masterpieces that emanate from their own personal experiences. F. Scott Fitzgerald, through his depiction of the protagonist Jay Gatsby, imbues his work with autobiographical elements. Similarly, Chetan Bhagat, through the character of Gopal, depicts the struggles of a budding engineer, thereby adding a touch of realism to his work.

The basics which are put in the table of comparison is like:

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.

It is important to note that The Great Gatsby and Revolution Twenty20 differ significantly in terms of their approach, style, and characterization.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby, is a timeless masterpiece that delves into the decadence and moral decay of the wealthy elite in 1920s America. Fitzgerald's writing style is characterized by its lyrical and evocative quality, which imbues the novel with a sense of glamour and grandeur. The novel's setting, the fictional Long Island enclave of West Egg, serves as a backdrop to the larger-than-life characters and their extravagant lifestyles. Through the character of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the elusive nature of the American dream and the corrupting influence of wealth and power.

On the other hand, Chetan Bhagat's Revolution Twenty20 is a contemporary novel that is set in India and focuses on the struggles and aspirations of the middle class. Bhagat's writing style is marked by its accessibility and humour, which makes the novel a compelling and engaging read. The novel's setting in the city of Varanasi provides a vivid and realistic portrayal of life in contemporary India, with its myriad challenges and opportunities. Through the characters of Gopal and Raghav, Bhagat explores the complex social and economic forces that shape the lives of the middle class in India, and the tensions and conflicts that arise as they pursue their dreams and aspirations.

While both The Great Gatsby and Revolution Twenty20 share some thematic similarities, they are fundamentally different in terms of their approach, style, and characterization. Fitzgerald's classic novel offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the decadence and moral decay of the wealthy elite in America, while Bhagat's contemporary novel provides a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the struggles and aspirations of the middle class in India.

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.

As outlined in the introductory chapter, Comparative Literature stands apart from the study of individual literary traditions not solely by way of its methodological approach, but also in its matter, attitude, and perspective. Through its focus on the intersection and overlap of various literary traditions, Comparative Literature provides a uniquely cosmopolitan lens through which to view the complex and nuanced relationships between literary works, genres, and cultures.

One of the key strengths of Comparative Literature lies precisely in its cosmopolitanism. By transcending national, linguistic, and cultural boundaries, this field of inquiry offers a panoramic view of the world's literary traditions, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the shared human experiences, themes, and concerns that underpin the world's diverse literary output. This approach enables Comparative Literature scholars to draw upon a rich array of perspectives and insights, and to identify connections and resonances that might otherwise remain obscured.

This cosmopolitanism can also be a source of weakness, particularly when it is not accompanied by a deep understanding of the nuances and complexities of individual literary traditions. Without a thorough grounding in the specific cultural and historical contexts that shape a given literary tradition, Comparative Literature risks reducing works to mere representations of abstract, universal themes, and losing sight of the particularities and intricacies that make each tradition unique.

Despite these challenges, the field of Comparative Literature remains a dynamic and ever-expanding area of inquiry, capable of encompassing the literatures of the entire world. Through its commitment to exploring the complex interplay between literary traditions, Comparative Literature offers a valuable tool for deepening our understanding of both the universal and the particular in literature and beyond.

By engaging in comparative analysis of authors from diverse cultural and historical backgrounds, we can discern the universal human experiences and preoccupations such as the quest for wealth, love, and the American dream, that transcend the boundaries of time and place. This approach allows us to appreciate the distinct nuances and complexities of each society and historical moment, while simultaneously illuminating the shared human condition that unites us all. In this way, the act of comparison can serve as a powerful tool for deepening our understanding of both the universal and the particular in literature and beyond.

The enduring relevance and literary merit of the two novels under examination will be unequivocally demonstrated by their ability to resonate with readers from diverse cultural and temporal contexts, transcending the boundaries of time and place. Their continued popularity and critical acclaim serve as testament to their profound impact on the human psyche, and their ability to speak to the fundamental experiences and concerns that unite us all as a species. Through rigorous study and analysis, we will uncover the universal themes and motifs that have cemented these works as enduring classics, and shed light on the ways in which they continue to shape our understanding of the human condition.

The question of what comparative literature is inevitably arises for those who claim to work in the field. At its simplest, comparative literature entails studying texts across cultures, using an interdisciplinary approach to identify patterns of connection that transcend time and space. It is often a destination arrived at by those who started from different points of departure. Some seek to move beyond the constraints of a single subject area, while others are compelled to explore similarities between texts or authors from different cultural contexts. As Bassnett suggests, comparative literature is a rich and varied field that allows scholars to delve into the complexities of literary works and their global connections.

In this research, the theoretical framework of Genetic Structuralism, as articulated by Goldman, has been deftly applied, thereby providing a rigorous and comprehensive analysis of the key comparison between the literary works under examination. This theoretical approach has not only enriched the research process, but also enabled a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the complex structures and underlying themes that animate these texts.

Through its emphasis on the interplay between historical and cultural contexts, textual structures, and the creative process of the author, Genetic Structuralism offers a uniquely illuminating lens through which to view literary works. By attending to the intricate details of the text, and exploring the ways in which it is shaped by larger cultural and historical forces, this approach facilitates a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the literary work as a whole. By deploying this theoretical framework in the present study, the research has been able to uncover previously unnoticed connections and resonances between the two literary works, and to shed light on the ways in which these works reflect and respond to larger cultural and historical contexts. In so doing, the study not only enriches our understanding of the particular works under consideration, but also demonstrates the value of Genetic Structuralism as a tool for illuminating the complex interplay of history, culture, and literature.

Limitations

The ultimate limit of comparative literature is the literatures of the whole world, meaning that it is open to studying any literature from any culture. This cosmopolitanism is both a strength and a weakness of comparative literature. On the one hand, it allows for a truly global perspective that can reveal new insights into the nature of literature and its relationship to culture. On the other hand, it can be difficult to achieve a deep understanding of multiple literary traditions, and some critics argue that comparative literature can lead to a superficial or reductive approach to complex cultural texts.

This dissertation has some limitations. When delving into the historical events or the background of any particular era, the scope for exploration is vast and boundless. The researcher, in this case, has focused solely on the general events that hold significance for the literary works under analysis. It is plausible that the research may not be as exhaustive and all-encompassing as the expanse of the subject matter may demand. The limitations do not compromise the integrity and significance of the research conducted.