Study and Analysis of Texts Using Diaspora

Abstract

This paper explores the themes of diaspora, identity, and the lasting effects of Partition in the novels The Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh and Ice-Candy-Man by Bapsi Sidhwa. Both authors delve into the complex psychological, cultural, and emotional dislocation caused by the Partition of India, examining how individuals navigate fractured identities between nations. Ghosh’s non-linear narrative structure highlights the fluidity of identity in the diaspora, while Sidhwa uses the innocent perspective of a young girl, Lenny, to portray the trauma of displacement and the generational transmission of grief. Through their exploration of memory, belonging, and the impact of historical trauma, both novels reflect on the enduring consequences of Partition on personal and collective identities. By analyzing the experiences of characters caught between conflicting national, cultural, and personal identities, this paper reveals how the legacy of Partition continues to haunt diasporic communities, shaping their understanding of home and belonging in a world marked by shifting borders.