The Yearning for Home: Pain of Dislocation in the Novels of Bapsi Sidhwa and Rohinton Mistry

Abstract

Rohinton Mistry and Bapsi Sidhwa are prominent postcolonial authors who depict the complex experiences of the Parsi community, focusing on themes of cultural dislocation, identity crises, and the longing for home. The Parsis, a marginalized community in India and Pakistan, face the challenge of preserving their cultural heritage while navigating the pressures of modernity and societal integration. Mistry’s novels, such as Such a Long Journey, A Fine Balance, and Family Matters, portray the emotional and social costs of dislocation, highlighting generational conflicts and the erosion of traditional values. Sidhwa, in works like Ice-Candy Man, The Crow Eaters, and The Pakistani Bride, explores the Parsi experience of alienation, emphasizing the tensions between cultural preservation and adaptation in a rapidly changing world. Both authors offer poignant reflections on the universal struggle for belonging, providing invaluable insights into the Parsi community’s resilience amidst cultural upheaval.