Generic Conundrum in Familial Relationship As Portrayed In the Novels Of Chetan Bhagat

Abstract

Chetan Bhagat represents a new breed of writers, who are an amalgam of  all the foreign influence in the society today and yet very much Indian , a new Indian.  Thus one can see in all his novels , the birth of a new Indian identity of  the generation next who are proud to be what they are and yet ready to take on the world with their own might. Indian literature of recent decade projects upon the problems faced by the youth due to industrialisation, social mobility, democratic change, modernization, globalization, capital production, consumerism and extent of urbanisation. And the writers who focus on these issues are considered to be non-serious writers. Chetan being one enjoys a prominent role among his contemporaries.  

‘Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become’ says C.S.Lewis. The reason for Chetan Bhagat’s popularity is his portrayal of reality, natural incidences and evidences which a common Indian can relate to and experiences in his daily life. And a huge percentage of Indian readers of the 21st century strongly believe that he has brought a new wave of literature in India.

Chetan Bhagat through his novels reflects the mindset of Indian society in terms of employment, lifestyle, problem facing, and relationship with other people. The social and psychological reality of contemporary Indian society is represented by the characters  who are considered to be the actual representations of the people of modern Indian society dominated by the west. Westernization has brought comprehensive intimidation to the present structure of the society besides certain modern prospects. All the key characters in the novel have some sort of ill-fated incidents in life. They are not able to cope up with the stream of life. They are not satisfied with their present condition of life. In the contemporary society, most of the youngsters aspire for great positions in their life. The young generation in their hunt for good life, good job, and the freedom to choose the career and the girl they like  many a time ends up in constrained relationship proving that in their search for the best things in life, they have lost the real precious things to own- ie human relationship.