Understanding Manhood through Hegemonic Masculinity: A Critical Study of Bapsi Sidhwa's The Pakistani Bride

Abstract

This article critically explores the performance of hegemonic masculinity in Bapsi Sidhwa’s The Pakistani Bride, set in a rigid patriarchal tribal society where male worth depends on female honor. Using Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity, the study examines how male characters Qasim, Sakhi, and Farrukh assert power and identity through dominance, control, and violence. Qasim enforces authority by arranging Zaitoon’s marriage without her consent, while Sakhi’s brutality exemplifies physical aggression and the subordination of women as possessions. Farrukh’s emotional rigidity, masked as love, manifests as possessiveness and suspicion, reflecting subtle yet potent psychological control. These varied forms of masculine behavior, from overt violence to covert manipulation, expose the deep-rooted social mechanisms that sustain patriarchy. The analysis highlights how such practices uphold male dominance while inflicting severe emotional and physical harm on women. Ultimately, the paper contends that Sidhwa’s portrayal reveals the devastating consequences of a culture that equates masculinity with control, aggression, and the suppression of female autonomy.