Ice Candy Man

Sidhwa uses the symbolic image of “cracking India” to describe the political and social upheaval that occurred during the creation of an independent India and Pakistan (101). This image symbolizes the brokenness between the two countries, and it reflects the damaged relationships among the ethnic factions, including the complicated mixture of majority- and minority- Hindu and Muslim cities and countryside, along with permanently minority ethnicities such as the Parsees, who practice Zoroastrianism.

The Ice-candy-man symbolizes an allusion to Eugene O’Neill’s play The Iceman Cometh, which in turn alludes to the four Gospels, wherein Jesus foretold that the “bridegroom cometh.” Sidhwa writes, “lank and loping the ice-candy man cometh…” (28). O’Neill’s play depicts a group of 13 drunks—representing Christ and his 12 apostles—and revolves around the salesman Hickey, the Iceman, who chillingly destroys the hopes, dreams, and personal illusions of the other characters. Similarly, within Ayah’s circle, the Ice-candy-man acts as both the Judas figure from Christ’s story and the Iceman of O’Neill’s play. He betrays and ruins Ayah, shattering the peaceful illusion of Ayah’s social circle, and exposing the obsessive lust that inspired both the companions’ pursuit of Ayah and their superficial tolerance of each other.

Affected by polio that she contracted as a baby, Lenny’s right foot is twisted and her leg muscles wasted. Throughout the novel, Lenny plays on her disability for sympathy, treats, and other special treatment. She does not want to lose the precious deformity that gains her so much attention and sympathy. However, Colonel Bharucha straightens her foot through a series of casts and a surgery. Massage and activity stretch her leg and foot into a normal appearance. As she loses her deformity, step by step, Lenny learns to replace sympathy with participation in her world.

Instead of retreating into a fantasy world, as she does as a child to escape her reality or to use her reality to gain advantage, Lenny learns to confront the world as it is. Her disability, which attracts more than it repels, becomes less central to her identity as she grows older and more sexually aware. She is no longer afraid that no one will love her without her limp. Her experiences with her Cousin are central to her eventual maturity. For example, Cousin insists that Lenny learn about his genitals, whether she wants to or not, and later he offers her love and marriage.