THAT LONG SILENCE AS A FEMININE TEXT

That long silence by Shashi Deshpande is undoubtedly a remarkable example of a feminist novel. Through the novel not just the pauper condition of novel’s female character but rather the true facet most of the Hindu women’s life has been highlighted. It can primarily be noticed by the fact of novelist’s choosing to write as Jaya, not just to evoke a feeling of sympathy and empathy but also to clearly present the hardships that a woman faces.  Many more instances make an integral part of the novel to present the feminist aspect of the novel to regard this as a feminist novel and Jaya’s character too plays a vital role in serving this purpose.

        As the title “That Long Silence” itself suggests, Jaya as a traditional woman has been presented as the embodiment of tolerance and gusty sufferer. She is presented as a woman who always keeps on complying with all the traditional norms and regulations she’s bound to follow and moreover keeps on looking after her family. But despite all these facts, she’s expected more and more without anyone to ponder of what she wishes for. She is torn between the likings and disliking and love and hate where she is least entitled to pursue any free action and rather has to remain submissive to her husband who rather uses her as someone or something of his own benefit. Despite all her efforts she is complained by her husband Mohan who in his fear and disgust of being suspended and facing social humiliation for his fraud respectively of being a changed woman; thus showing the feminist hardships. While at the same time Jaya still remains a love impoverish receiving no love from him; which further displays Jaya’s affinity to a deprived.

        Novelist, as a psychological solution to these feminist hardships shows Jaya’s change of character to an egotistic person who in response to all sufferings chooses to become a novelist, while still being love deprived throughout. The elements of pester, humiliation and disgust takes her past the traditional boundaries. This aspect of Jaya’s character presents her modern feminine awakening. She writes under the pseudonym of Suhasini and is further reproached by her husband for the same. Another aspect of Jaya’s feminine character is shown through her stinted and un-intact psyche after transforming into and egotist. Despite being a strong woman she couldn’t cope up with the change and is in the state of remorse; a time when she’s a weak modern woman, weaker than the traditional woman of the Hindu society. Also her refusal of Kamat’s love and retaining her name as Suhasini (given by Mohan) shows another strong aspect of her feminine character where despite all her emptiness and hollowness she remains loyal and honest to her husband and relation.

        Henceforth it can fairly be concluded through the minute and facet full representation of a woman’s condition not just in particular but in general makes the novel a remarkable example of a feminist novel.