| Subject: | Linguistics : English/ Cultural Studies |
| Title: | Chetan Bhagat and the Representation of Middle-Class India: A Qualitative Study |
| Author(s): | Kharat Uday Madhukarrao |
| Published on: | 28th February 2026 |
| Published by: | Lyceum India |
| Name of the Journal: | Lyceum India Journal of Social Sciences |
| ISSN/E-ISSN: | 3048-6513 |
| Volume & Issue: | Volume: 3, Issue: 3 |
| Pages: | 67-70 |
| Original DOI (if any): | 10.5281/zenodo.18823016 |
| Repository DOI: | |
| Abstract: | This study explores how Chetan Bhagat’s novels depict the Indian urban middle class and articulates their socio-cultural realities. Bhagat’s narratives resonate widely among contemporary Indian readers due to their focus on youth aspirations, family expectations, and socio-economic mobility. Using qualitative content analysis of selected texts (Five Point Someone, One Night @ the Call Centre, 2 States), this paper identifies recurring themes related to middle-class identity, cultural norms, and the impact of globalization on personal ambitions. Findings reveal that Bhagat’s fiction mirrors the hopes and anxieties of the urban middle class, highlighting tensions between tradition and modernity. This inquiry contributes to academic discussions on popular literature as a socio-cultural artifact in post-liberalization India. |
| Keywords: | Chetan Bhagat, middle-class India, qualitative inquiry, popular fiction, youth culture, socio cultural representation |
| | Download |
