Ice Candy Man Presentation

(1)

Pr

esentation on

the Major

and

Minor Themes of Bapsi

Sidhwa’s

n

(2)

The Author



Bapsi Sidhwa, the author of the novel was born on

August 11

thth

_{, 1938 in Karachi.}



She belongs to the Parsi community, so her account of

the partition is thought to be

the partition is thought to be objective and neutral.

objective and neutral.



She, like the child

She, like the child narrator of Ice Candy Man, Lenny, is

narrator of Ice Candy Man, Lenny, is

a polio victim, that is

a polio victim, that is why she was educated at home

why she was educated at home

till the age of 15. Afterwards she graduated from

Kinnaird College, Lahore.



She was married at the age of 19.



Sidhwa started writing in the 1970s when she was

inspired by the story of a young girl who ran away from

home and was killed by her husband in the

home and was killed by her husband in the Hindukush

Hindukush

mountains. This story was published in the form of her

2

ndnd

_{novel: the Bride.}



Some of the notable novels of Sidhwa are: the Crow

Eaters, The Pakistani Bride, Ice Candy Man, An

(3)

About Bapsi Sidhwa



Sidhwa’s work has been widely read and

appreciated. Numerous awards have been

conferred upon her, these include:



The Patras Bokhari award for the Bride in

1985



The Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1991



The German

The German Literaturepreis

Literaturepreis award for

award for

Cracking India



A Bunting Fellowship from Harvard



Currently she is teaching at the University of

Texas, Houston.

(4)

Ice Candy Man



Ice Candy Man, Sidhwa’s third and most

famous novel, was published in 1988.



The dominant themes of the novel are the

themes

themes of

of disintegration,

disintegration, dislocation,

dislocation, and

and

partition.



The sensitive topic of the Partition of the

Subcontinent serves as the backdrop of the

novel. This partition is one of the greatest

tragedies of our times, the severity of which

has never been fully understood.



Through Ice-Candy Man Sidhwa tries to

present an objective view of this event and

aims at providing an understanding of the

(5)

Overview



 Sidhwa’s keen observation, concern for the common man & his life, andSidhwa’s keen observation, concern for the common man & his life, and

concern for women and their suppression run though her novel: ICM. concern for women and their suppression run though her novel: ICM.



 _{In order to understand the theme/s of the novel it is important to take an}_{In order to understand the theme/s of the novel it is important to take an}

overview of the novel: overview of the novel:



 It is a historical novel written from the viewpoint of an eight year old girl,It is a historical novel written from the viewpoint of an eight year old girl,

Lenny, who happens to be a polio victim. Lenny, who happens to be a polio victim.



_{The novel records the neutral observations of Lenny of the world around}_{The novel records the neutral observations of Lenny of the world around}

her and how a political event overshadows her world, causing her and how a political event overshadows her world, causing disintegration and fragmentation.

disintegration and fragmentation.



 _{Lenny sees Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Parsees & Sikhs fight for their}_{Lenny sees Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Parsees & Sikhs fight for their}

land and their lives and is an unwilling witness to the trauma that land and their lives and is an unwilling witness to the trauma that accompanied Independence.

accompanied Independence.



 Ayah, Lenny’s beautiful and desirable maid, bears the crux of theAyah, Lenny’s beautiful and desirable maid, bears the crux of the

Partition tale

Partition tale becoming, like becoming, like many others, many others, the victim the victim of of her religion.her religion.



_{The story traces the communal discord that occurred at the time of}_{The story traces the communal discord that occurred at the time of}

Independence. It highlights that external events can unleash animalistic Independence. It highlights that external events can unleash animalistic characteristics in humans, so much so, that they are blinded by prejudice characteristics in humans, so much so, that they are blinded by prejudice and selfishness and

and selfishness and use religion use religion to to justify their beastly justify their beastly actions.actions.



 _{It is a story about love lost, trust deceived and the subjugation of the}_{It is a story about love lost, trust deceived and the subjugation of the}

mind by deliberately subjugating the body. It is also a story about mind by deliberately subjugating the body. It is also a story about

(6)

Major & Minor Themes



Major Themes:



_{Theme of Partition}_{Theme of Partition}



 Theme of dislocation and disintegration Theme of dislocation and disintegration



 Theme of Communal discord Theme of Communal discord



_{Dilemma of the Parsi community}_{Dilemma of the Parsi community}



 Theme of Feminism–women as victims & as saviours Theme of Feminism–women as victims & as saviours



Constancy of desire & its lack of Constancy of desire & its lack of moral legitimacymoral legitimacy



_{The eternal conflict of moral good}_{The eternal conflict of moral good & evil in the human psyche}_{& evil in the human psyche}



NeutralityNeutrality 



Minor themes:

 ManipulationManipulation  _Intolerance_Intolerance  _Impassivity_Impassivity 

Duplicity of colonialismDuplicity of colonialism



(7)

Themes



Theme of Partition:



 The novel examines the inexorable logic of The novel examines the inexorable logic of Partition as anPartition as an

offshoot of fundamentalism sparked by

offshoot of fundamentalism sparked by hardening communalhardening communal attitudes. It looks at Partition as a means of

attitudes. It looks at Partition as a means of spreadingspreading disharmony which resulted in frenzy and chaos.

disharmony which resulted in frenzy and chaos.



 The novel, written from a domestic The novel, written from a domestic standpoint, opens with thestandpoint, opens with the

child narrator

child narrator observing thobserving the situation e situation of Lahore aof Lahore at the time t the time of of Partition.

Partition.



Her dreams signify the fragmentation of India when Her dreams signify the fragmentation of India when she saysshe says

“

“ I recall another childhood nightmare… Children lie inI recall another childhood nightmare… Children lie in a warehouse… Godmother sits by my bed

a warehouse… Godmother sits by my bed smilingsmiling indulgently as men in uniforms quietly slice off indulgently as men in uniforms quietly slice off aa child’s arm here, a leg there”.

child’s arm here, a leg there”. This dream comes trueThis dream comes true when in chapter 17 Sidhwa writes “

when in chapter 17 Sidhwa writes “ Playing British godsPlaying British gods under the ceiling fans of the Falettis

under the ceiling fans of the Falettis Hotel ,the Radcliff Hotel ,the Radcliff commission deals out Indian cities like a p

commission deals out Indian cities like a pack of cards.ack of cards. Lahore

Lahore is dealt is dealt to Pakistto Pakistan, Amran, Amritsar itsar to India. to India. Sialkot Sialkot to Pakistan. Pathankot to India. I am a Pakistani. In a to Pakistan. Pathankot to India. I am a Pakistani. In a

(8)

Theme of Partition



Sidhwa shows us that the Partition leaves even

sane people & friends helpless and

ineffective.e.g the sikhs and muslims living in

Pir Pindo, helplessness of the Hindu and Sikh

friends of the Sethis, and change of religion.



The psychological effects of the Partition on

the lives of people is also shown in great detail

in this novel. e.g Lenny tears her doll in two

halves after actually witnessing a similar event,

the wails of the f

the wails of the f allen women

allen women



Sidhwa shows human loss in Partition:

_{“ wave}

upon wave of muslim refugees flood Lahore–

and the Punjab west of Lahore. Within 3

months 7 million Muslims & 5 million

months 7 million Muslims & 5 million Hindus

Hindus

& Sikhs are uprooted in the most terr

(9)

Dislocation



_Dislocation_{Dislocation and}_{and disruption}_{disruption are very}_{are very important}_{important themes of}_{themes of ICM.}_ICM.



_{We see people weighing the}_{We see people weighing the options of staying or migrating.}_{options of staying or migrating.}

The question of migration loomed large in almost everyone’s The question of migration loomed large in almost everyone’s

head. head.



We see the people of Pir Pindo negating the idea of going byWe see the people of Pir Pindo negating the idea of going by

saying:

saying: Where can the Muslim villagers go?... How canWhere can the Muslim villagers go?... How can they abandon their ancestor’s graves, every inch of they abandon their ancestor’s graves, every inch of land they own, their other kin?

land they own, their other kin? How will they ever hold How will they ever hold up their heads again? Where will they go? No, he says, up their heads again? Where will they go? No, he says, they cannot throw the Mussulmans out

they cannot throw the Mussulmans out



Almost all the people of India especAlmost all the people of India especially the Punjabis wereially the Punjabis were

faced with such dilemmas. Above all, the

faced with such dilemmas. Above all, the people, especially thepeople, especially the Punjabis, were not expecting to be

Punjabis, were not expecting to be uprooted and dislocated.uprooted and dislocated. Perhaps this is another reason why so many of

Perhaps this is another reason why so many of them diedthem died because people could not comprehend the severity of the because people could not comprehend the severity of the situation. I

situation. I



I think that nobody can think of I think that nobody can think of any place safer than home, andany place safer than home, and

when suddenly you are told that this isn’t your

(10)

Disintegration



In the novel the disintegration of Ayah’s circle In the novel the disintegration of Ayah’s circle symbolises thesymbolises the

disintegration and degeneration of society and the disintegration and degeneration of society and the disintegration

disintegration of society of society signifies signifies the deterioratithe deterioration on of theof the characters/ people themselves.

characters/ people themselves.



Members of the Ayah’s circle represent the different religionsMembers of the Ayah’s circle represent the different religions

of the Subcontinent. of the Subcontinent.



We see that the characters We see that the characters belonging to the variousbelonging to the various

communities of India become conscious of their individual communities of India become conscious of their individual identity but at the cost of

identity but at the cost of the composite culture that evolvedthe composite culture that evolved after centuries.

after centuries.



_{As the novel progressed, the people who}_{As the novel progressed, the people who thronged Queen’s}_{thronged Queen’s}

park

park became aware of became aware of their religious their religious identity and identity and only sonly satat with people of their own r

with people of their own religion. It is only Ayah’s circle thateligion. It is only Ayah’s circle that remains intact even when the political rumblings reached remains intact even when the political rumblings reached Lahore. However, even Ayah’s allure and sensuousness Lahore. However, even Ayah’s allure and sensuousness cannot

cannot keep keep the the circle circle intact. intact. In In fact, fact, the the friends friends she she trustedtrusted become her assaulters in the end. This

become her assaulters in the end. This also shows thealso shows the deterioration of the characters.

(11)

Communal Discord



The

The novel

novel aptly

aptly traces

traces the

the pattern

pattern of

of communal

communal

discord that occurred at the time of Partition from

somewhat complete harmony to total frenzy and

chaos.



Lenny’s nightmares, espe

Lenny’s nightmares, especially at the

cially at the crack of

crack of

dawn set a gory and

dawn set a gory and gruesome pattern of

gruesome pattern of

communal discord at the time of partition.



We see a pattern of communal harmony w

We see a pattern of communal harmony when

hen

Lenny first goes to Dera Tek Singh and sees the

Muslims and the Sikhs sitting together and sharing

their concern over the existing situation.

their concern over the existing situation. We even

We even

see them vowing to protect each other, should

violence reach their villages. However, during her

2

ndnd

_visit

_{visit we se}

_{we see}

_{e suspicion}

_{suspicion and animos}

_{and animosity in}

_{ity in the air.}

_{the air.}



The rumblings of communal discord reach

Lahore.e.g the dinner with the singhs and the

(12)

community



ICM is seen through the prism of Parsi

sensitivity. The beginning shows the

non-committal attitude of the Parsis towards the

committal attitude of the Parsis towards the

event of Partition.



The novel shows the dilemma & choice of the

community. Their leader in Lahore says

“

whom do we cast our lot with?”



It is decided that in keeping with the tradition

the parsees of Lahore would follow whoever

so became the ruler of Lahore. Thus the

famous

famous Parsi

Parsi saying

saying

‘‘

hunt with the

hounds and run with the hare’



They decide to be neutral.



(13)

Feminism



 The novel has a feminine perspective. The female protagonists The novel has a feminine perspective. The female protagonists

are the moral centers, while most of the male characters either are the moral centers, while most of the male characters either remain apathetic or indulge in destructive violence.

remain apathetic or indulge in destructive violence.



 The novel holds a gynocentric view of The novel holds a gynocentric view of reality. ICM subtlyreality. ICM subtly

subverts the elements of patriarchy by showing that the

subverts the elements of patriarchy by showing that the femalefemale characters pulsate with a will of their own. The feminine

characters pulsate with a will of their own. The feminine qualities of compassion and motherhood are

qualities of compassion and motherhood are dominant.dominant.



Women are shown as being oppressed and used Women are shown as being oppressed and used as aas a

commodity. They are the ones who have to bear the brunt of commodity. They are the ones who have to bear the brunt of the wrong doings done by the men. Revenge is taken by

the wrong doings done by the men. Revenge is taken by violating the rights of women. (element of

violating the rights of women. (element of Universality)Universality)



_{The Ayah is a flame of}_{The Ayah is a flame of sensuousness and female vitality.}_{sensuousness and female vitality.}



 The relationship with the cousin upholds the principle of The relationship with the cousin upholds the principle of

equality. equality.



Godmother towers as a vibrant figure. She is Godmother towers as a vibrant figure. She is a source of a source of

strength and

strength and comfort for comfort for the needy the needy e.g e.g after Lenny’s after Lenny’s operation,operation, & her role in

& her role in saving Ayahsaving Ayah



(14)

Constancy of Desire



The theme

The

theme of

of lust

lust and

and desire

desire is

is present

present

through out the novel in the persona of

Dilnawaz or Ice Candy Man.



Just like the other moths he also hovers

around Shanti.



Even though she is Hindu and he a Muslim.



His desire and the ways of getting hold of

Shanti throw light at his selfish character and

seem immoral especially because he is

married. His own wife is kept within the

boundaries of his village.



ICM keeps on changing his professions but his

persuit of Ayah is constant.



(15)

& evil



Moral good and evil are in eternal conflict in the

human psyche.



External events serve to unleash the evil inside

men if they sway towards that

men if they sway towards that side, just as they

side, just as they

may bring positivity if men are

may bring positivity if men are good themselves.

good themselves.



ICM’s desire is constant but lack of

ICM’s desire is constant but lack of restraint and

restraint and

inherently good qualities unleash the beast

inherently good qualities unleash the beast inside

inside

him when he witnesses the arrival of

him when he witnesses the arrival of the death

the death

train from Gurdaspur.



The description of Ranna’s village shows the

animalistic characteristics of men. In the same wa

animalistic characteristics of men. In the same way

y

ICM, blinded by religious hatred and revenge turns

into a cruel man

into a cruel man who derives sadistic pleasure and

who derives sadistic pleasure and

satisfaction in killing Hindus and Sikhs.



(16)

Neutrality



The author adopts a neutral and objective tone

that helps in

that helps in highlighting the theme of neutrality.

highlighting the theme of neutrality.



We see that the common man is n

We see that the common man is neutral but he is

eutral but he is

swayed by religious and

swayed by religious and political differences.

political differences.



The

The Parsi

Parsi community

community remains

remains neutral

neutral and we

and we see

see

Lenny’s aunt and mother helping all their friends.



The Masseur also holds an objective view and

many times diffuses tensions inside the group.



This signifies that had there been no neutral and

objective people then there would have

objective people then there would have been

been

complete chaos.

(17)

Manipulation & Betrayal



The transformations and transmogrifications of

ICM signify his manipulative nature.



He tries to lure in people, just as he lures

Lenny to tell him about the whereabouts of the

Ayah.



His character represents the manipulative and

cold nature of politicians, especially his role as

a pimp.



Manipulation gives rise to betrayal: Ayah is

betrayed by all whom she trusted, ICM, the

butcher and even Lenny– though

unconsciously.



(18)

Religious intolerance



‘ one man’s religion is another man’s

poison’—

poison’—this is exactly what happens in the

this is exactly what happens in the

text.



As the Partition progresses, we see religious

frenzy and hatred. Even the people who

throng the Queens Park sit with people of their

own faith and show intolerance towards other

religions.



There is zero tolerance as religion is used as a

tool to carve out the divisions.



Even the Ayah’s group collapses when

religious differences stare the members in the

face.



(19)

Impassivity



Initially we see the impassivity of the

Initially we see the impassivity of the Parsees, but it

Parsees, but it

was shrugged off by many of them. This is

was shrugged off by many of them. This is also

also

highlighted when she doesn’t feel any pain when

she was being dismembered in her

she was being dismembered in her dream.

dream.



The impassive and nonchalant attitude of the

politicians is highlighted in the text. The power

hungry politicians don’t care for the common man.



We also witness the impassivity of the British

government and then the

government and then the independent

independent

governments of the two new

governments of the two new nations.

nations.



‘ it’s strange the English Sarkar can’t ‘ it’s strange the English Sarkar can’t seem to be doingseem to be doing

anything” “ I don’t think it is because they can’t,I anything” “ I don’t think it is because they can’t,I think it is because the Sarkar doesn’t want

think it is because the Sarkar doesn’t want to.”to.”



Lenny’s dreams also signify the lack of concern by

the authorities to check the barbarism at the time

(20)

Duplicity of Colonialism



By showing the relationship between

Godmother and Slave Sister Sidhwa conveys

or

or warns

warns that

that the

the exploitation

exploitation manipulation

manipulation

and suppression of one individual by another

is not confined to a male-female relationship,

it can exist between a female-female relation

ship.



Feminists are being made aware of the

dangers replicating the patriarchal principles.



Even though Godmother is a beacon of

courage, strength and hope, we see her

misusing her powers.

(21)

Chaos and Confusion



Chaos, cChaos, confusion, anonfusion, and d mayhem bmayhem become the ecome the order of order of thethe

day when men throw way se

day when men throw way sense and logic. This chaos comesnse and logic. This chaos comes with a very heavy price.

with a very heavy price.



We learn that all passions whether religious or amorous areWe learn that all passions whether religious or amorous are

capable of bringing out the best

capable of bringing out the best and the worst in humanand the worst in human beings. Religious hatred led to communal violence.

beings. Religious hatred led to communal violence.



The Process of Healing



Amidst this chaos and confusion we see hope Amidst this chaos and confusion we see hope in the personsin the persons

of the Sethi women. They start the healing process by of the Sethi women. They start the healing process by

reaching out to those who were abandoned for no fault of reaching out to those who were abandoned for no fault of their own.

their own.



When ICM realizes that he will never be able to get Ayah’sWhen ICM realizes that he will never be able to get Ayah’s

love, he also starts on the path

love, he also starts on the path to moral good. This is whereto moral good. This is where the novel ends.

the novel ends.



Sidhwa ends by initiating the healing process and points outSidhwa ends by initiating the healing process and points out

that the only way to heal

that the only way to heal wounds is to overcome them bywounds is to overcome them by forgiving and reaching out to others who may have