The Unseen Struggles: Examining Disability in Anita Desai’s Clear Light of Day and Bhapsi Sidhwa’s Ice Candy Man

Abstract

Globally, disabled people are widely recognized as one of the most disempowered and undeserved groups. Disabled people have historically faced alienation. Individuals get banished from the community if they are determined to be incompetent. Our society’s ignorance, bigotry, and lack of awareness are major causes of this discrimination. Disability is frequently stigmatized within society, shaping negative perceptions and attitudes. The research paper explores the complex representation of disability in two important literary works, Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa and Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai. The paper uses a critical perspective to examine how these novels negotiate the complex aspects of disability within the socio-political landscapes of post-colonial India, with a focus on the intersectionality of disability and culture. Through a close examination of characters, stories, and social perspectives on disability, this paper seeks to illuminate the complicated issues surrounding the portrayal of people with disabilities in the two selected texts. In addition, the study delves into how cultural, historical, and societal elements influence how people see disability and provides insights into the difficulties that handicapped people encounter in various literary contexts. The paper emphasizes the value of genuine and nuanced depiction in promoting inclusivity and advances a larger knowledge of the role literature plays in influencing societal attitudes regarding disability.