An American Brat by Bapsi sidhwa Literary Analysis

The novel Literary Analysis covers all the aspects in a meticulous way.
From Muhammad Bilal Khan, PUJC.

1. University of the Punjab, Jhelum Campus Topic: An American Brat by Bapsi Sidhwa Subject: Pakistani Fiction in English Presented to: Dr. Nagina Kanwal Presented by: Saddam Azam BSENG-F22-17 Maryam Muzafar Butt BSENG-F22-20 Zunaira Naeem BSENG-F22-13 Muhammad Bilal BSENG-F22-07 Department of English

2. Topic of presentation: An American Brat (1993) by Bapsi Sidhwa

3. About the Author Bapsi Sidhwa is a prominent Pakistani-American novelist. Born on August 11, 1938, in Karachi. Belongs to a Parsee family. Grew up in Lahore. Suffered from polio as a child. Homeschooled and later attended Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore. Migrated to united states later and taught at various institutes in America .

4. Notable Works: The Crow Eaters (1978) The Bride (1983) Ice-Candy-Man / Cracking India (1998) An American Brat (1993) About the Author

5. Awards and Honors: Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence), Pakistan (1991) Pakistan’s highest civilian award. Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book (Eurasia Region) (1991) – For Cracking India . About the Author

6. About the Author Themes : Partition Feminism identity crisis Migration Violence Minorities and their issues

7. Plot Summary Exposition: The story begins in Lahore where Feroza is living in a conservative and traditional Parsee family. She was getting her early education here, but g etting influence of the Muslim community which was a factor of worrying for her mother. She decides to send her to America so that She will broaden her point of view for three months.. She was sent to America and she stayed with her uncle, Manek.

8. Plot summary Rising Action: Feroza arrives in the United States, she experiences cultural shock and freedom as well. Initially stays with her uncle Manek. she gradually becomes more independent and decides to stay in America for further education. Her experiences at college expose her to different lifestyles, new ideologies, and relationships. It transforms her into a more confident and assertive individual. She makes friends here in America from different backgrounds and starts dating an American man, David Press. However, this relationship creates tension when she realizes that there is a big difference between her traditional Parsee upbringing and American lifestyle .

9. Plot Summary Climax: At the climax a turning point is that, when Feroza, who has adopted her American identity, decides to marry David, a non-Parsee. When she informs her family, they are furious with her decision. The reason is that, the Parsee community strongly oppose interfaith marriages. Zareen, who supported Feroza’s journey to America, is now very disappointed by her decision and at the prospect of her daughter marrying outside the faith. This conflict between personal freedom and cultural expectations leads to an emotional crisis and breakdown among various relationships . Feroza, is now changed completely from a naïve girl into a naughty and spoiled child .

10. Plot Summary Falling Action: When the pressure from her family comes and she was bound by her cultural obligations, Feroza is forced to confront the consequences of her own actions. Manek plays the role of a mediator, reminds her of the consequences of breaking Parsee traditions and customs. Finally, Feroza came to the conclusion that, deep-rooted implications of her actions not just for herself but for her family is there. Despite her love for David, she makes the painful decision to break off the engagement after realizing that she can never escape the cultural heritage and her family .

11. Plot Summary Resolution: In the last, Feroza lives in America. Now she is no more an innocent child but she becomes a more liberal, independent and spoil to some extent. She realizes that compromises were required to balance her cultural identity with her personal desires. The novel concludes with a bittersweet reflection on immigration, identity, and the struggles of belonging to two different cultures and the sad separation of two lovers due to different religions and cultures. She can not come to her old home( Pakistan) as she made her mind to stay here and don’t trust anyone. Her heart was broken by David.

12. Plot Summary Conflict: Feroza undergoes significant internal struggles as she tries to change herself from a traditional Pakistani upbringing to a more independent life in America. She experiences self-doubt, confusion, and fear as she navigates a foreign culture. As she spends more time in the U.S, she gradually embraces her independence, leading to an internal clash between her old self and her evolving identity. This is evident in her thoughts about dating and clothing choices, which contradict her conservative upbringing.

13. Setting The novel’s setting took place somewhere between 1970s and early 1980s in Lahore(Pakistan). It was a time period of political and social chaos in Pakistan which plays a role of stimulating force behind Feroza’s migration to the united states of America.

14. Setting Primarily the setting is in Pakistan’s Lahore where she was raised and then it shifts to the dream place of the protagonist( Feroza’s), United states of America. Karachi and the university of Feroza also cover some parts of the setting as well.

15. characters Feroza Ginwalla (Protagonist): 15 years old a Parsee girl migrated to America. Dynamic character. Curious child read romantic and detective works. Stubborn child not changing her mind. In the start a strict follower of her religion. Transformation from a naïve to a spoil child. Graduated in Hotel Management. Boochimai, her nick name imposed by Manek. Theme of Identity Crisis, Migration, Adoptability and Feminism has shown through her character.

16. Characters Cyrus Ginwalla: Father of Feroza and husband of Zareen. Static character. Ping pong nickname imposed by Khutlibai. Businessman and Traditional figure of a Parsee-community. Zareen Ginwalla ( Antagonist): Mother of Feroza and wife of Cyrus. Active personality- present everywhere. Traditional mindset retaining her Parsee identity. Married to 11 years older man. Gregarious and politically aware Parsee woman. Dominating nature slap her daughter and suppress her. Presents Generational gap theme. Modern and Conservative both.

17. Characters Manek: Uncle of Feroza and 6 years older than her. Brother of Zareen. He is a student and works at two other jobs to make extra money. Curly hair and wears glasses. He is a dark man. Hardworking, young, intelligent and worldly wise Married to a Parsee-girl (Aban) and moved to USA. Traditional point of view. Received his doctorate. Work in NASA . Aban: Wife of Manek from Karachi. A Domestic figure. Uneducated. Traditional Parsee girl .

18. Characters Khutlibai (Grandmother): Zareen’s mother and Sorabjee Junglewalla’s wife. Traditional matriarch and Nitpicker. Inflexible and Benevolent. Behram: Feroza’s maternal uncle and a man full of humor. Father Fibs: Old man and Storyteller. Inspiring youth, a social reformer through intellect. Shakespearean scholar. A symbol of preserving traditional culture and a source of amusement.

19. Characters Khushwant Singh: Indian journalist. gray beard and untidily rolled up round chin Host in Pakistan with the lawyer Rehman. Jo: Roommate of Feroza at Boston college. belongs to a Well-off family. Star of the Miller family. Alert , keeps apartment clean. Likes cooking. A moody and emotionally instable individual.

20. Characters Kalay khan: A servant of Feroza’s family. A humble and kind person. Gwen: Gwen was white, strikingly beautiful, dusky girl. Eldest daughter. Responsible. She is almost twenty-five years old. From a large, loosely structured poor family in Atlanta. Gwen’s mother worked as housekeeper to a wealthy family in Marietta. Conscientious student.

21. Characters Rhonda : Rhonda was black, beautiful, blond with a lovely face and dreamy blue eyes. Naturally red lips, and a warm, slow smile. Rhonda was not tall, at least not for an American. kind-hearted. A cuddly, feminine body and a most arduous dating schedule.

22. Characters Rohinton: Cousin of Feroza Ginwalla. A young Parsee man living in Lahore, Pakistan. Serves as a guide and support figure for Feroza. Pragmatic, responsible, and somewhat traditional . .

23. Characters Shashi: From India a young boy. Lean, handsome and dark brown face. Gregarious Confident. Cooperative- Helped Feroza by sharing notes and materials. Graduated in hotel management. Enrolled in the master’s program in business management

24. Characters Janine: Jo’s sister in Los Angeles. straight ash-blond hair that swung thick about her shoulders, large green eyes, and a lavishly contoured and sensual mouth. Stunningly beautiful, flamboyant, and dramatic. Eloped in the age of fourteen . Sally: Jo’s sister. Married a rich person . They were members of the Champion Forest Country Club. They had two children.

25. Characters Mike: Boyfriend of Jo. Drug addictive. A thief . Bad tampered . David Press: A lover of Feroza and a Student. light eyes and grey hair. Resemblance to his mother. Symbolizes cultural conflict. Shy boy and Hardworking as part time job worker. From Middle class Jewish traditional family but he is Liberal . Adina: David’s mother. A sweet lady. She loves Feroza.

26. Genre “coming-of-age novel” ( Bildungsroman). primarily focuses on the psychological, moral, and personal growth of the protagonist . young protagonist in its teen age. character’s mental, emotional, and moral evolution. reflects social class, gender roles, race, culture, and historical events. ends with the protagonist gaining wisdom (open-ending) Features:

27. The novel is narrated in third person omniscient point of view. It means that the narrator knows each and everything about the characters and especially protagonist’s life. The past tense is used mostly throughout the novel. Narration and Point of View

28. Tone and Language Tone is playful ,with humor, Sarcasm and melancholic in some places . Straight forward and relatable language is used which blends with English slang words as well, showing some Pakistani expressions, to show Feroza’s roots in Pakistani society. “He had promised them roti, kapra, makan — bread, clothes and shelter.” “Stop it, bus kar.” “Is everything all right, baijee ?”

29. Motifs Identity: Personal and global issues of identity loss and gain. Dual and hybrid identity of Feroza. Culture : Pakistani and American culture is shown vividly. Pakistani culture is more Traditional while American culture is more Liberal. Feminism: Not only Feroza and her mother but also the entire third World countries and USA are involved in the women subjugation in different forms.

30. Irony Zareen sends her daughter to America to "liberate" her from the growing religious tussles in Pakistan. However, Feroza adopted American values. “ “Sending you to America was the biggest mistake of my life!” Zareen after knowing about her daughter’s relationship with David, she wanted her to become modern and independent but only within the limits of traditional Pakistani expectations. When Feroza arrives in America, she finds it difficult to adjust : however, later she becomes so Americanized that she resists to return to Pakistan . “She did not want to go back, not even to visit.”

31. Themes Identity crisis and Cultural Conflict : The dual and Hybrid identity of Feroza. Manek willingness to forsake his Pakistani identity and adopt American identity instead. “The people I have to deal with at work find it hard to remember Manek. It’s too foreign, it makes them uneasy. But I’m one of the guys if I’m Mike.” “In America, be —” Traditional cultural values and Liberal values contradiction. Pakistani vs America culture - clash for all the characters.

32. Themes Family Dynamics and its Impacts: Zareen did not greet her husband normally. No strong connection between Zareen and Feroza Her negligence to sent her to USA. Jo’s mother indulged her passion for gambling without noticing her family. Jo has to bear the consequences. Jo’s father shared the duties.

33. Themes Migration and Adoptability: Migration as a hope for betterment. Migrants issues and Resilience. Feelings of being outsiders. Feroza and her initial adjustment in American society .

34. Themes Generational Gap: Feroza’s wish for autonomy and freedom(new generation) Zareen’s traditional point of view (old generation) Cyrus’s traditional and patriarchal point of view(old generation) Manek wants to change himself according to American environment( new generation) Khutlibai’s strict and traditional point of view “And you’d better forget this honor-shonor business. Nobody bothers about that here.” said by Manek to Feroza.

35. Themes Lose of Innocence: Feroza and her transformation from a naïve to a spoil child. “Wait till Granny hears about this! Wait till Mummy and Daddy hear about this! Wait till Rohinton kaka and Jeroo kaki hear about it. They’ll never speak to you. I don’t believe you did this. I can’t believe.” Religion and society: Religion as a tool of victimization e.g. Islamization and Zoroastrian clergy Social stereotypes a barricade in the way of human progress e.g : Parsee traditional point of view and American racism American and Pakistani societies are depicted vividly.

36. Themes Women’s Plight: No freedom Domestic figures e.g. Aban and Zareen Feroza has no right to marry in accordance with her wishes Exploitation by men e.g. Jo’s exploitation by her boyfriend Islamic punishments for women e.g. Hudood Ordinance David’s jilt of Feroza.

37. Themes Helplessness: Zareen in front of her stubborn daughter. “Love? Love comes after marriage. And only if you marry the right man. Don’t think you can be happy by making us all unhappy. “Get married properly,” Zareen said. “The judge’s bit of paper won’t make you feel married. Have a regular wedding. Don’t deprive us of everything!” Jo’s helplessness in front of her boyfriend. Mr. Miller in front of his wife who plays gambling. Feroza in front of David's love.

38. Themes Expectations vs reality: Feroza’s expectation and wishes about USA. Harsh and real portrayal of American society Zareen’s expectations from her daughter Feroza’s expectations from David Khutlibai’s expectations from Feroza

39. Symbols America: A symbol of Grandeur, prosperity and independence. Migration: Symbol of Transition, change and hope. Father Fable: symbol of keeping intact the tradition of story telling, folk literature and a symbol of amusement for youth. Male: Symbol of Fear and horror or absolute power like Jo’s boyfriend…..

40. Literary Devices Allusion: Short Zoroastrian prayer: invoking Sarosh Ejud, the Angel of Success Who Protects Mankind With Effective Weapons. Alice’s wonderful mirror: An allusion to Through the Looking-Glass (1871) by Lewis Carroll, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .

41. Literary Devices Allusion: “Then you’ll want to fly, taste of what Adam tasted,” The reference to Adam and Eve recalls the Biblical story from Genesis , where Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Ulfat Kee Naee Manzil Ko Chalay: The excerpt describes someone "crooning" Iqbal Bano's song, which itself speaks of moving toward a new destination of love while acknowledging the pain of the past.

42. Literary Devices Foreshadowing: Feroza asked, “Mum, what do you think of him? ” She was a little crestfallen when her mother said, “It’s too early to tell. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Bangladeshi holy man had advised Bhutto’s wife, Nusrat, and his daughter, Benazir, that Bhutto’s stars would dramatically improve if the trial stretched into the New Year.

43. Literary Devices Imagery: Streets and vivid pictures of New York buildings, architecture and the obnoxious smell of drugs over there in streets in USA. Lahore museums, The sun’s amber light nestled on the brown waters of the shallow Ravi and glowed on the marble domes and minarets of the Badshahi Mosque.

44. Parsee point of view on religion Traditional point of view No conversion is allowed in their faith into another one. Blind believers of their clergy More near to the western religions than Islam. Negate the Islamic laws in case of imposition

45. Parsee point of view on Politics Believers of Democracy not Dictatorship. More inclination towards American Capitalism than Socialism. Seeking future outside of Pakistan. Pakistani politics impacted their lives. E.g. Feroza’s tendency towards Islamization. Parsee community and their patriotism was questionable, or that they were not a proper Pakistani because they were not Muslim.

46. Portrayal of Parsee Community Gender Disparities: Not being burdened with similar expectations, the girls were not required to study abroad. Boys have to attain education abroad. Language: Few in Lahore understand Gujarati, so Parsees use it as a secret language when the occasion demands. Patriarchal system and Male Dominance: “Do you know your grandfather would not allow even our pigeons to stray? If one of the birds from our loft spent the night on another’s roof, we’d have pigeon soup the next day. He’d have its throat slit”. Vulnerable community in the World: “Mixed marriages concerned the entire Parsee community and affected its very survival. Only a hundred and twenty thousand in the whole world.”

47. Symbolic Title “An American” – Cultural Assimilation & Identity Transformation: Symbolizes Feroza’s transformation as she moves from Pakistan to the United States. It reflects her journey of adaptation, where she gradually adopts Western ideals, challenging her conservative upbringing in Pakistan .

48. Symbolic Title Brat: A symbol of transformation and Rebellion: Transition of Feroza from a shy and conservative girl into a confident and independent individual. Feroz’s rebellion against women suppression and stereotypes. Title as Ironic: People having traditional point of view consider American/Western countries as an embodiment of Democracy and prosperity. They denounce when someone adopts that identity and call them “ Brat/Spoiled.” Expose the American slogan” Melting pot ”

49. Literary Theories Feminism: Power Dynamics: Men are superior in both American and Pakistani societies. e.g. Cyrus and Jo’s boyfriend. Autonomy: Women suppression in both societies and women as a domestic figure. Women exploitation in a bad way. Job/Financial security: In Pakistan they are not allowed while in USA they are allowed but exploited by men.

50. Literary Theory Examples from the Text: Feroza’s suppression by her mother. Patriarchal mindset in Pakistani society girls don’t play because men don’t like it. Marriage of Zareen in 17 years without asking her. “Where’s the hurry to get rid of her? You’ll be rid of her anyway once she’s married.” “And where will she stay? Who’ll look after her? I’m so worried: a raw, unmarried girl traveling so far by herself. Have you made proper arrangements? Will she stay in a good, safe hotel? Feroza found the very concept of these jobs breathtaking, beyond the compass of the possible in Pakistan. Sofia Bibi was not punished, thanks to the pressure of the legal community and the women’s and human rights groups. The decision was rescind.

51. Literary Theory Post-Colonialism : Identity crisis: Manek, Feroza and other migrants in USA for shelter and identity. Hybrid and dual identities of the characters. Textual Reference: "Feroza's mother fretted over her daughter's growing rebelliousness. It was as if America had given her wings, and she was flying away from all the traditions and values they held dear." Racism and Alienation: All the Third World countries people are treated not on the equal basis. The sense of alienation they feel, including migrants from Mexico as well. Textual Reference: "At first, Feroza felt self-conscious about her accent, the way people looked at her when she spoke. She realized she was different. But as time passed, she learned to adopt American mannerisms, to blend in."

52. Literary Theory Post-Colonialism: Diaspora: The key feature of Post-Colonial literature prominent figures are Feroza and Manek They have nostalgic feelings for homeland while living abroad. Textual Reference: "Even as she marveled at the efficiency of life in America, Feroza missed the noise and chaos of Lahore, the smell of spices in the streets, the warmth of family gatherings." Impact of Colonialism: People in Pakistan consider imperialist America as paradise and superior. Textual Reference: "Pakistanis admired America. They saw its streets paved with gold, its freedoms unparalleled. Yet, they also feared how it changed their children, pulling them away from their own culture."

53. Quotes and Important Lines “Yes, I drink! Yes, I drink whiskey: not the blood of poor people” said by Bhutto. “If they jump into a well, must you also jump into the well?” by Khutlibai. “Yes, yes. You and your Ping-Pong are the only modern ones in the whole world … We are all stupid.” said by Khutlibai. “If anyone talks to you, just look straight ahead and act deaf.” said by Manek to Feroza in USA. “You’ll have to learn to stand a lot of things in this world.” said by Manek to Feroza. “It’s because we squander time! It is the single most precious commodity besides money, and we act as if we are millionaires in eternity. But time is running out … and time will catch up with you. Then you’ll say — “ manek said to Feroza

54. Quotes and Important Lines “Mamma, times have changed,” she continued, more cautious. “A lot of people are sending their daughters for education to America.” Zareen to mom. “The first lesson you learn in America is ‘You don’t get something for nothing,’” Manek said. “America is Paradise!’ said by Manek. “You’re too precious. We’re not going to throw you away on the first riffraff that comes your way.” said by Zareen “It’s not the end of the world, you know. I promise, you’ll get over it”. Said by shasi to Feroza.

55. Conclusion