Identity Dynamics And Ideological Conflicts In Characterization Of Banda And Bulha—From Extremism To Mysticism In Shahid Nadeem’s “Bulha”

Abstract

This research paper is the study of identity dynamics in two opposite characters of Banda and Bulha with two different approaches of Extremism and Mysticism in relation with ideological conflicts through lens of Lacan’s “Mirror Stage.” In characterization of Banda and Bulha, the conflict between individual and social ideology is inevitable and individual’s identity forms or deforms in  relation with it but roots of identity dynamics lie in the unconscious  formation of identity in the phase of “Mirror Stage.” Mirrorness haunts an individual’s social identity formation. The play deals with making and breaking of Ideals that set and reset the goals for both characters. Bulha and Banda as children make an “ideal image” of them in the mirror and fall in love with it. When they grow up they “misrecognize” that image in the world and find their i very weak in comparison with other identities. The next step they take is to associate their i with any strong I. Therefore, their image of Ideal self is replaced by Ideology’s Ideal and Big- I’s Ideal. Ironically, Ideal that they consider to strengthen their i end up swallowing their i.