Author(s): Azmat Faruki, Dr. Tamishra Swain

Abstract: The present paper analyses the depiction of childhood trauma in the novel Ice Candy Man, also known as Cracking India 1988, by Bapsi Sidhwa, focusing on how the drastic event of Indian partition led to the psychological effects on Child characters through the lens of Lenore Terr’s theoretical framework, which incorporates acute and chronic trauma that must be examined. By applying her concepts, the paper explores the psychological consequences of exposure to violence and feelings of loss as experienced by Lenny and other young characters. It showcases how these unpleasant, traumatic events depict disturbing behaviour, sick and shattered memories, silence, and emotional numbing. The paper also addresses how the socio-political ups and downs and devastating upheaval because of partition drastically wounded the minds of children and affected their cognitive and emotional development. Furthermore, this analysis provides a more nuanced understanding of how the psychological scars of the Partition continue to shape the identity and subjectivity of the children who suffered and lived through it.

Keywords: Childhood trauma, Memory, Ice-Candy Man, Partition, Trauma, Violence.

Article Info: Received: 30 Nov 2024; Received in revised form: 23 Dec 2024; Accepted: 25 Dec 2024; Available online: 31 Dec 2024

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.96.69