Study of Female Characters in Bapsi Sidhwa’s Cracking India
Keywords:
Female Characters, Partition Fiction, Identity, Gender Power dynamicsAbstract
This present paper explores the intricate portrayal of female characters in Bapsi Sidhwa’s Cracking India, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Partition of India in 1947. Through the eyes of the young Parsee narrator, Lenny, the novel presents a spectrum of women who navigate the complex intersections of gender, culture, and politics. The analysis focuses on key characters such as Ayah, Lenny, Mrs. Sethi, and Godmother, examining their roles, experiences, and transformations throughout the narrative. Ayah’s beauty and vulnerability, Lenny’s evolving awareness, Mrs. Sethi’s quiet resilience, and Godmother’s authoritative wisdom collectively highlight the diverse expressions of female strength and agency. Themes of gender power dynamics, sexuality, vulnerability, and communal identity are critically examined to reveal how Sidhwa critiques and illuminates the position of women during a period of profound social upheaval. This study underscores the novel’s rich feminist perspective, illustrating how the female characters embody both the personal and political struggles of their time.
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