Revolution 2020 - Thematic Study
Revolution 2020 is a novel by Chetan Bhagat, published in 2011. The story revolves around three main characters—Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti—and explores themes of ambition, love, corruption, and the desire for change in contemporary India. The novel is set in Varanasi and follows a love triangle between the three characters, interwoven with Gopal’s journey of navigating India’s corrupt education system and Raghav’s mission to bring about a revolution through journalism. This blog is a thinking activity, assigned by Barad Sir, based on this novel. Check out this blog for more information on the novel - Revolution 2020
Activity: Write a diary entry from Gopal’s perspective after he decides to let Aarti marry Raghav. Reflect on his emotional state and moral reasoning.
2nd March 2010
I don’t even know why I am writing this.
Maybe I hope it will numb the ache, or at least give some structure to the chaos in my head. But how do I put into words the moment I watched my entire world slip away?
The garden downstairs was a vision of lights and flowers, alive with music, laughter, and celebration. It was beautiful, but not for me. It felt like a performance staged for my heartbreak. I stood there, high above it all, like a ghost watching a life I could never have.
Raghav looked regal on his horse, the crowd dancing to the beats of the DJ. I hate to admit it, but he seemed like the hero in every sense of the word. Maybe that’s why she chose him. How could I compete with someone who wants to change the world while I’ve spent my life bending to its flaws?
And then Aarti stepped onto the stage. She looked ethereal, like an angel who belonged to a world far removed from mine. The way the crowd gasped when they saw her—it echoed the gasp in my chest. She was radiant, but she wasn’t mine. She never was, was she?
I couldn’t stay. Watching the jai-mala, their smiles, the laughter—it was too much. I shut the curtains, but it didn’t shut out the noise or the pain. It all came rushing back—the years I’d spent with her, hoping, dreaming, thinking that maybe someday… But life isn’t kind to men like me, is it? Her message flashed on my phone: “Come. But only if you want to.” She didn’t even need to say it. I could see it all. She had made her choice, and I had made mine. I gave her the freedom to choose her happiness, even if it crushed me. Isn’t that love? Or am I just lying to myself to make this easier?
The dean’s car took me away from it all, but not far enough. The pain clings to me like a shadow. I told him I want to work, to build something bigger than myself, to drown in anything that keeps me from thinking about her smile as she exchanged vows with him. I want success—if not for happiness, then for revenge against fate. But as I sit here with whisky in hand, I can’t help but wonder: Will I ever be free of this emptiness? Or will I spend the rest of my life trying to fill a void that only she could? I let her go tonight. I told myself it was the right thing to do, but my heart keeps asking: Was it?
Critical Questions:
1. Can love truly flourish in a society riddled with corruption and ambition?
In Revolution 2020, love struggles to flourish in a society riddled with corruption and ambition. Gopal’s pursuit of wealth and his moral compromises overshadow his love for Aarti, leading to manipulation and eventual sacrifice. Meanwhile, Raghav’s idealism and dedication to fighting corruption resonate with Aarti, but his ambitions strain their relationship. The novel suggests that love can exist in such a society, but only when rooted in selflessness, shared values, and moral integrity, which are often compromised in the face of greed and societal pressures.
2. How does the novel portray the idea of "true love"?
In Revolution 2020, the idea of “true love” is portrayed as selfless and sacrificial but often fragile in the face of ambition and societal pressures. Gopal’s love for Aarti is intense and enduring, but his actions - manipulating her emotions and prioritizing material success - show that his love is tainted by possessiveness. In contrast, his ultimate sacrifice of Aarti’s happiness for her future with Raghav reflects a moment of true love, as he puts her needs above his own desires.
Raghav’s love for Aarti, while rooted in respect and equality, is often overshadowed by his ambition to fight corruption, showing that even genuine love can be challenged by personal goals. The novel ultimately suggests that true love requires selflessness and mutual understanding, but achieving it in a world driven by ambition and corruption is deeply challenging.
Discussion Prompts:
1. How does the relationship between Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti evolve over time?
The relationship between Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti evolves significantly over the course of the novel, reflecting shifts in love, ambition, and moral values.
Initially, Gopal and Aarti share a close childhood bond that hints at romantic possibilities. However, Gopal’s insecurities and his focus on material success begin to distance him emotionally from Aarti. Meanwhile, Aarti develops feelings for Raghav, who impresses her with his idealism and moral courage, leading to a romantic relationship.
As Gopal ascends to wealth through corruption, his bitterness toward Raghav grows, fueled by jealousy and resentment. Gopal attempts to manipulate Aarti’s emotions to win her back, leading to moments of confusion and tension. Despite her lingering attachment to Gopal, Aarti ultimately chooses Raghav, whose values and principles align with her aspirations for stability and respect.
In the end, Gopal sacrifices his love for Aarti, realizing that she would be happier with Raghav. This act marks a turning point in the trio’s dynamic, with Gopal left isolated, Raghav and Aarti united, and their relationships shaped by ambition, morality, and self-sacrifice.
2. Is Gopal’s decision to sacrifice his love for Aarti’s happiness noble or a result of his guilt?
I think Gopal’s decision is driven by guilt. Throughout the novel, his actions like manipulating Aarti’s emotions, colluding with corrupt politicians, and prioritizing his success over morality, have alienated him from his own sense of integrity. His sacrifice can be seen as an attempt at redemption, a way to atone for the wrongs he has committed.
3. How does Aarti’s shifting affection reflect societal pressure or personal confusion?
I believe Aarti’s shifting affection largely reflects societal pressure rather than pure personal confusion. Her initial closeness to Gopal stems from their shared history and the comfort of familiarity, but her eventual choice of Raghav is influenced by societal expectations of stability, respectability, and aligning with someone whose values reflect upward mobility and integrity.
Society’s admiration for Raghav’s idealism and ambition as a journalist places him in a favorable light, subtly pressuring Aarti to view him as the “right” partner, despite her emotional connection to Gopal. Additionally, Gopal’s involvement in corruption and moral compromises makes him a socially undesirable match, reinforcing her decision to prioritize societal norms over personal conflict. Thus, Aarti’s shifting affection mirrors the influence of societal values on personal relationships, where choices are often shaped by external expectations rather than emotional clarity.
Theme of Ambition
Activity: Create a character map comparing Gopal and Raghav’s ambitions, decisions, and outcomes.
Critical Questions:
1. Does Gopal’s ambition make him a tragic hero? Why or why not?
Gopal’s ambition does make him a tragic hero to an extent, as his downfall stems from his fatal flaw: his relentless pursuit of wealth and power at any cost. Like a classic tragic hero, Gopal is a complex character whose choices are driven by his difficult circumstances like poverty and a desire to escape his father’s failures. However, his moral compromises, such as colluding with corrupt politicians and manipulating Aarti, ultimately leave him emotionally empty and isolated.
What makes Gopal tragic is his realization of the futility of his success. Despite achieving his material goals, he sacrifices love and inner peace, recognizing too late that his ambitions have cost him everything meaningful. However, unlike a traditional tragic hero, Gopal lacks a redemptive arc or noble purpose, as his ambition is primarily self-serving rather than aimed at a greater good. Thus, while Gopal exhibits traits of a tragic hero, his flaws and choices limit his heroism, making him more of a cautionary figure than a truly heroic one.
2. How does the theme of ambition intersect with love and corruption in the novel?
In Revolution 2020, the theme of ambition intersects deeply with love and corruption, creating conflicts that drive the story. Gopal’s ambition to escape poverty and achieve financial success leads him to embrace corruption, compromising his morals and manipulating those around him, including Aarti. His love for Aarti is genuine but becomes entangled in his selfish ambitions, ultimately driving her away.
Raghav’s ambition, in contrast, is rooted in his idealism and desire to fight corruption. While his moral integrity aligns with Aarti’s values, his relentless focus on his goals often strains their relationship, showing how even noble ambitions can complicate love.
The novel highlights how unchecked ambition whether corrupt or idealistic often clashes with love, as personal goals overshadow emotional connections. It paints a grim picture of a society where ambition, when tainted by greed or obsession, disrupts the purity of love and relationships.
Discussion Prompt:
1. What motivates Gopal and Raaghav’s ambitions?
Gopal’s ambition is motivated by a desire to escape poverty and gain wealth, driven by his experiences of financial struggle and societal humiliation. On the other hand, Raghav’s ambition stems from his idealism and a strong sense of justice, motivating him to fight corruption and create societal change through journalism.
Gopal’s ambition for wealth leads him to embrace corruption and manipulate others, including Aarti, ultimately straining his relationship with her and leaving him lonely despite his success. In contrast, Raghav’s idealistic ambition to fight corruption aligns with Aarti’s values, strengthening their bond, but his obsessive focus on his mission occasionally neglects their relationship. Both character’s ambitions directly influence their decisions, highlighting the tension between personal goals and emotional connections.
In Revolution 2020, ambition is depicted as neither inherently positive nor negative; it is the path chosen to achieve it that makes the difference. Gopal’s ambition, driven by a desire to escape poverty, takes a negative turn as he adopts corrupt practices, ultimately leading to personal emptiness. Raghav’s ambition, rooted in idealism, is portrayed more positively as he fights corruption and seeks societal change, though it occasionally strains his relationships. The novel suggests that ambition itself is neutral, but its impact depends on the values and choices of the individual pursuing it.
Words - 1903
Images - 3
References -
Barad, Dilip. (2025). Thematic Study of Chetan Bhagat's 'Revolution 2020'. 10.13140/RG.2.2.16765.88807.
Bhagat, Chetan. Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition. Rupa
Publications, 2011.
Note: Use of Chat GPT is done to structure the answer and for grammatical accuracy. The images were generated by Meta AI
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