Themes in Ice Candy Man
Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa is a novel about the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. It narrates the story through the eyes of Lenny, a young Parsi girl who witnesses the horrors and tragedies of the partition. The novel explores various themes, such as the exploitation and suppression of women, the partition of the subcontinent, religious intolerance, inter-community marriage, and human nature.
One of the prominent themes of the novel is the exploitation and suppression of women. The novel portrays how women become victims of extreme violence, sexual abuse, and oppression during the partition. Women are treated as objects, commodities, or prizes by men who use religion or politics as an excuse to justify their actions. For example, Ayah, Lenny's beautiful Hindu nanny, is abducted by Ice-Candy-Man, a Muslim street vendor who loves her but whom she has rejected. He forces her to become a prostitute and sells her to other men as a "dancing girl". He also prevents her from escaping or contacting her family. Ayah represents the plight of thousands of women who were kidnapped, raped, or killed during the partition.
Another theme of the novel is the partition of the subcontinent. The novel depicts the historical, social, and psychological effects of the partition on the people and the nation. The partition divides the country into two hostile states based on religion: India for Hindus and Sikhs, and Pakistan for Muslims. The partition also displaces millions of people who have to migrate across the borders, leaving behind their homes, properties, and memories. The partition also triggers communal violence and hatred among different religious and ethnic groups who kill, maim, or loot each other. The novel shows how the partition shatters the lives of ordinary people who have to face loss, trauma, and fear.
A third theme of the novel is religious intolerance. The novel shows how religion becomes a source of conflict and division among people who were once friends or neighbors. Religious intolerance erupts into violence, pitting Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs against each other. The novel portrays how religion is used to manipulate or justify violence and hatred by some people who have political or personal motives. The novel also shows how religion affects the identity and loyalty of some characters who have to choose between their faith and their love. For example, Ice-Candy-Man becomes a fanatic Muslim who betrays his Hindu lover Ayah and his country India. He also tries to convert Ayah to Islam by force.
A fourth theme of the novel is inter-community marriage. The novel presents this theme as a sensitive and contemporary issue that challenges the rigid social codes and norms of different communities. The novel explores how inter-community marriage can be a source of love or conflict among people who belong to different religions or cultures. The novel also examines how inter-community marriage can affect the identity and status of the individuals involved. For example, Feroza, Lenny's cousin, wants to marry a Jewish boy in America but faces opposition from her Parsi community who consider it a betrayal of their faith and tradition. She decides to marry a boy of her choice regardless of his religion. Another example is Ice-Candy-Man's marriage to Ayah after he rescues her from the brothel. He marries her out of guilt and obsession but fails to win her love or trust.
A fifth theme of the novel is human nature. The novel explores the complex and contradictory aspects of human nature that are revealed during times of crisis or change. The novel shows how human nature can be good or evil, noble or base, generous or selfish, depending on the circumstances and choices. The novel portrays how human nature can be influenced by emotions such as love, hate, fear, anger, jealousy, or pity. The novel also depicts how human nature can be affected by factors such as religion, politics, culture, or gender. For example, Ice-Candy-Man's human nature changes from being kind and loving to being violent and cruel after he witnesses the massacre of his fellow Muslims by Hindus. He becomes consumed by rage and revenge and loses his sanity and morality.
In conclusion, Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa is a novel that explores various themes related to the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. The novel portrays how the partition affects the lives of different characters who have to face violence, displacement, oppression, or betrayal. The novel also examines how the partition reveals different aspects of human nature that are influenced by religion, politics, culture, or gender. The novel is a powerful and realistic depiction of one of the most tragic events in history.
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