Of Belonging, Being, and Becoming in the Bride: A Gendered Exploration of Female Identity Dysmorphia through Migration and Trauma

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomena of belonging, being, and becoming through the lens of migration, displacement, and identity reconfiguration, focusing on Bapsi Sidhwa’s novel, The Bride. It explores the protagonist Munni/Zaitoon's shifting identities against the backdrop of partition-induced migration, gendered experiences, and the complex negotiations of cultural and familial expectations. Through the lens of feminist and post-colonial theory, the paper investigates how Sidhwa’s narrative reflects the trauma of partition and the resulting ideological and geographical migrations, exploring the formation and loss of female identity within these contexts. By examining the role of gender contracts in post-colonial societies and the implications of forced migration, the paper delves into how Munni’s evolution from an Indian Punjabi child to a Pakistani Pathan wife reflects the complex processes of belonging, being, and becoming in a world marked by violence, patriarchy, and shifting identities.