Have you ever wondered how women experienced the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947? How did they cope with the violence, exploitation, and oppression that resulted from the political and religious turmoil? The theme of feminism in 'Ice Candy Man' by Bapsi Sidhwa, is a novel that portrays the lives of women during this historical event.
For centuries, society has not defined a woman as a subject in her own right, but merely as an entity that concerns man either in his real life or his fantasy life. Many contemporary writers have projected the plight of women based on caste, creed, religion, gender prejudices, community, and beliefs, and have tried to suggest some pragmatic solutions to them.
In 'Ice-Candy Man', the whole story is narrated by the female protagonist Lenny, who relates the horrors of violence and her personal observations and reactions. Lenny is a young Parsi girl who suffers from polio and lives in Lahore with her affluent family. She not only observes but also analyzes men's lascivious and degrading attention towards women, the voraciousness of male sexual desires, women's plight as they are reduced to the status of sexual objects, and the peculiar disadvantages, social and civil, to which they are subjected.
Lenny's world is compressed by her physical disability and her gender. As a child, she spends most of her time with her Godmother, who is a strong and independent woman. Lenny calls her Godmother's room "my refuge from the perplexing unrealities of my home on Warris Road". Her schooling is stopped as suggested by Col. Bharucha, her doctor because she has polio. He concludes, "She'll marry—have children—lead a carefree, happy life. No need to strain her with studies and exams". Lenny realizes that this suggestion sealed her fate. It reveals the limitations associated with a girl's life.
Patriarchal society considers women as physically weak to venture into the world outside the four walls of their houses and too deficient to make important decisions. Hence women are relegated to the domestic sphere where they have to accept the domination of a male counterpart. For ages, it is considered that a woman has to tend the house, raise children and give comfort to her family.
Lenny learns that her parents are eager to arrange her marriage with Cousin even though she is only eight years old. She is shocked to witness Ice-Candy-Man pushing his wife Ayah into the business of prostitution. She is petrified by the sight of Hindu and Muslim women being raped during the riots.
Lenny's mother is another interesting female character in the novel. As a servile housewife, she limits her life to the four walls of her home. She obediently follows her husband, who is the decision-maker of the family. Lenny's mother is a representative of those traditional women who as subordinates never express their desire to establish themselves as better human beings.
Sidhwa as a writer encourages women to transgress the line of marginalization. She states in an interview: "As a woman, one is always marginalized. I have worked among women to create an awareness of their rights and protested against repressive measures aimed at Pakistani women and minority community".
Women should utilize their potential beyond their domestic life to assert their individuality. The novel Ice-Candy-Man projects through Lenny's mother that women should have a purpose in life besides domesticity which should be developed by them to the best of their abilities. Lenny's mother exhibits a change in her personality by the end of the novel. She becomes acquainted with the political changes occurring in the country during the India-Pakistan division.
She transforms into a social worker. Along with Lenny’s Electric Aunt, who is a feminist and a rebel, she helps the victims of the 1947 riots. She provides people with petrol who want to cross the border and helps the raped and exploited women. She also supports Lenny’s education and encourages her to pursue her dreams. The novel ends on a hopeful note, as women strive to overcome their situation and move forward from their degraded and tormented state to start their lives afresh.
In conclusion, Sidhwa portrays the resilience and agency of women in overcoming their challenges. She shows how women are not just passive victims of patriarchal society, but active agents of change and empowerment. Through the female characters of Lenny, her mother, and her Godmother, Sidhwa depicts the different ways women cope with the horrors of violence, exploitation, and oppression during the partition of India and Pakistan. She also highlights the importance of education, social work, and self-expression for women to assert their individuality and dignity. The novel ends on a hopeful note, as women strive to rebuild their lives and heal their wounds. Sidhwa invites the reader to reflect on the role of women in history and society, and to celebrate their courage and strength.
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