An Analytical Study of Marginalization of Women in Bapsi Sidhwa’s “An American Brat”

Abstract

This paper aims to address and analyze marginalization of women in Bapsi Sidwa‘s novel An American Brat (2012). The undersigned issue in this novel has been highlighted and revealed through some of the main and leading characters such as Feroza Ginwalla, Zareen, Cynus and others. The story revolves around the central character of Feroza who is the heroin of the novel. She suffers at the hands of patriarchy and by the social values first within Pakistan in the city of Lahore and later on in the States by the same parental social and cultural values and mind set up. First she is forced to throw away all her religious conservatism in Pakistan and then she is made compel to adopt it in the later part of her life in America. Thus throughout the novel she is marginalized in one way or the other. She is marginalized outside and inside her home in the shape of patriarchy and social values. It is due to this marginalization that leads her to become an obsessed, independent, secular and experienced human beings. This study is a voice against the dire effects of marginalization on women and an attempt for their emancipation and due place in the society.