Gender discrimination is a social stigma which has inflicted not only the Indian Society but social condition would once. Chauvinism is something which has affected the lives of every woman. Voices have been raised from time to time against it but have been curbed forcefully by the so-called contractors of the society, in the name of culture, religion, and community.
Establishing gender justice and gender are the key aspects of the feminist movement. Equal rights for both the genders are not only the biological concern but a social necessity. Shashi Deshpande's quest for identity and freedom has become a dominant theme in her works. She is one of the leading novelists of contemporary Indian Society and has a distinct place as she consistently addresses the question of selfhood with its many ramifications in her novels. She has sensitively treated typical Indian themes and has successfully depicted the intricate emotions, dilemmas, and conflicts of the contemporary Indian woman in her interactions with her male counterparts. Her concern is, in fact, for nothing less than the human predicament.
Keywords: Despondency, chauvinism, identity, dilemma, the human predicament.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this study is to examine the portrayal of women's despondency and the struggle for selfhood within the patriarchal structures depicted in Shashi Deshpande's novel, That Long Silence. The research explores how the protagonist, Jaya, navigates marital dissatisfaction, social expectations, and the stifling of her creative identity through a process of introspection and withdrawal.
- The impact of patriarchal constructs on the identity and freedom of Indian women.
- The role of silence and non-communication in modern middle-class marriages.
- The dual necessity of self-realization and maintaining autonomy in a traditional society.
- The use of psychological and sociological withdrawal as a narrative and transformative tool.
- The analysis of interpersonal dynamics and their influence on the protagonist's intellectual and emotional growth.
Excerpt from the Book
The Despondency of Women in Patriarchal Construct as Portrayed in Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence
Shashi Deshpande is an Indian novelist who has carved a niche not only in the Indian literary world but on the international front. The problem of adjustment with the husband and within the home has been the most consistent theme in the novels written by Deshpande. Her work reflects the conflict between tradition and modernity as manifested within the context of the family. She believes that the basis of all the problems hinges on the relation of man to woman.
The lopsided relationship of man to woman is the foremost cause of problems existing in society. This conflict and maladjustment are portrayed in the novels of Shashi Deshpande. In an interview with Geeta Gangadharan she stated: Human relationship is what a writer is involved with. Person to person and person to society relationships – these are the two primary concerns of a creative writer, to me; the former is of immense importance. My preoccupation is with impersonal relationships and human emotions. (11)
Thus, the different relationships existing in a woman's life vis-à-vis men and how she deals with them are the central themes which she has discussed in her novels.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of gender discrimination as a social stigma and introduces Shashi Deshpande's focus on the human predicament and the quest for female identity.
Introduction: Establishes the core conflict of the novel, focusing on the protagonist Jaya's marital struggles, her suppression of individuality, and the significance of her journey toward self-realization through withdrawal.
Keywords
Despondency, chauvinism, identity, dilemma, the human predicament, gender discrimination, patriarchy, self-realization, withdrawal, autonomy, marriage, Indian literature, Shashi Deshpande, That Long Silence, female psyche.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This research examines the struggle of middle-class Indian women for identity and freedom, specifically analyzing the protagonist Jaya's journey in Shashi Deshpande's novel That Long Silence.
Which central themes are discussed in the paper?
The central themes include the impact of patriarchal structures, marital conflict, the silence imposed on women, the importance of self-realization, and the search for autonomy.
What is the primary research question?
The paper explores how patriarchal constraints contribute to the despondency of women and how the protagonist uses withdrawal as a mechanism to reclaim her sense of self.
What scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, examining character development, narrative themes, and biographical insights from interviews to interpret the socio-psychological state of the protagonist.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section discusses the dynamics of the protagonist's marriage, her failed writing career, her relationship with the neighbor Kamat, and her eventual process of introspection and self-discovery.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Despondency, chauvinism, identity, dilemma, human predicament, patriarchy, and self-realization.
How does the concept of "withdrawal" function in the novel?
Withdrawal serves as a tool for the protagonist to remove herself from suffocating social and domestic demands, allowing her to view her life with objectivity and begin a necessary process of introspection.
What role does Kamat play in Jaya's development?
Kamat acts as a catalyst for Jaya's growth; he validates her intelligence, encourages her creative expression, and provides an intellectually stimulating environment that contrasts with her husband Mohan's stifling influence.
Why is the novel's title, "That Long Silence," significant?
The title reflects the pervasive silence in the protagonist's marriage—rooted in childhood and societal expectations—that has prevented her from communicating her true self and desires.
- Citar trabajo
- Dr Shamenaz Bano (Autor), 2020, The despondency of women in patriarchal constellations as portrayed in "That Long Silence" by Shashi Deshpande, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/935468
