Quest for Identity in ShashiDeshpande’sThat Long Silence

Abstract

In a time of yore, the voice of women used to go unheard in the patriarchal world. Though the world is still patriarchal and male ordained, the women have gained legal sanction as well as social liberty to voice their problems and to protest against injustices done to them. It was sometimes in the 60’s that the movement for women’s liberty started. The women came to the forefront and tried very enthusiastically to overthrow all the taboos ordained by amale-dominated society. But, unfortunately, their enthusiasm could not continue for long.  Issues like individual freedom and equality with men are no longer any news. The question now is how far women have succeeded in getting the rights for which they fought. ShashiDeshpande, being the author of 70’s and 80’s, understands women well, and tries to project a realistic picture of the middle-class educated woman who is financially independent. This paper explores the protagonist’s quest for identity in the Indian society and how she performs different roles with her silence. Key