Negotiating Patriarchy in Bapsi Sidhwa’s The Pakistani Bride: A Postcolonial Feminist Analysis

Abstract

The paper analyzes female agency and resilience in The Pakistani Bride by Bapsi Sidhwa, emphasizing the role of patriarchy and colonial legacies in constructing gendered oppression. While many Pakistani writers have examined the challenges faced by women in patriarchal systems, they often depict their struggles and resilience. Nevertheless, several works in Pakistani literature deviate from conventional tales. Bapsi Sidhwa, recognized for her unique literary style, depicts women as being independent and confident, providing an alternate viewpoint on female agency in Pakistani literature. The novel examines the ways that patriarchal systems and socio-political atmosphere suppress women's rights, reducing their agency and independence. Zaitoon, the protagonist, depicts the challenges faced by women in Pakistan's tribal areas, including institutional brutality, psychological suffering, subjugation, and marginalization. This study employs a qualitative approach to study, using textual analysis to investigate Sidhwa's narrative strategies in portraying gender oppression and resistance. Based on postcolonial feminist theory, the study examines how the narrative depicts socio-political constraints imposed on women and the avenues for resistance. The findings indicate that legal and patriarchal paradigms significantly restrict women's autonomy. Zaitoon's experiences exemplify wider trends of marginalization, as societal conventions and traditions promote gender-based discrimination. Sidhwa's narrative underscores female struggle, illustrating the intricacies of surviving within patriarchal contexts. This research enhances postcolonial feminist discourse by analyzing how literature criticizes systemic gender inequality, oppression and female subjugation. It broadens discussions on the interplay of patriarchy, colonial legacies, and socio-political disparities, providing insights into women's resistance within repressive systems.