Camouflage Personae: A Study of Self Defense Mechanism in Bapsi Sidhwa’s The Pakistani Bride

Abstract

The study is conducted to investigate Bapsi Sidhwa’s novel The Pakistani Bride in order to explore that how many kinds of defense mechanisms are used by the characters to evaluate the consequences of these defense mechanisms. Sigmund Freud’s defense mechanism theory is used to sort out the answers of these questions. The research discloses that both novels in characters use defense mechanism and they show moral anxiety due to family background and society.  The research finds out that Ziatoon uses defense mechanism that was connected to self-amendment. Ziatoon has faced many problems in life by virtue of fate and society but she never gave up and carried on her journey against the typical norms of the society. She presents certain examples how she faced conflicts and frustration from the society. Rationalization assists her to defeat anxiety and guides her to experience new things and new people. Like Ziatoon, people may use defense mechanisms in order to do something.