Gender Representation in
Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence
Ajay R.
Tengse¹ & Swapna A. Patole²
ABSTRACT
Shashi Deshpande’s novel “That
Long Silence centers” on Jaya, an educated and talented woman who
grapples with the expectations and constraints of patriarchal Indian
society, ultimately seeking self-discovery and the courage to break
her lifelong silence. The novel explores themes of identity, female
silence, and self-realization in the context of contemporary Indian
middle-class life. Jaya, the protagonist, is forced into submission
from childhood expected to be quiet, obedient, and self-effacing,
mirroring the experiences of many women in her family and society.
Deshpande uses the stream-of-consciousness narrative technique to
delve into Jaya’s psyche, portraying her struggle to reclaim her
voice and individuality after years of mute suffering and
repression.
Key words: Identity, Feminine, silence, Patriarchy,
Self-realization, Rebellion
