That Long Silence (Shashi Deshpande)

 About the Author:

Shashi Deshpande (b. 1938) is one of the most prominent contemporary Indian English novelists, best known for her exploration of women’s lives, identities, and struggles in a patriarchal society. The daughter of the renowned Kannada dramatist and writer Shriranga, she grew up in Dharwad, Karnataka, and was educated in English literature, law, and journalism. Deshpande began her career as a short story writer and later turned to novels. Her first collection, “The Legacy” (1978), was followed by her debut novel “The Dark Holds No Terrors” (1980). She gained recognition for her ability to portray the inner conflicts of middle-class, educated Indian women. Her landmark novel “That Long Silence” (1988) won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1990. She also received Padma Shri (2009) for her contributions to literature. Shashi Deshpande is often described as a feminist writer, though she herself prefers to be seen as a writer concerned with human relationships and social realities.

That Long Silence – Essay

Shashi Deshpande’s “That Long Silence” (1988) is a landmark novel in Indian English literature, often celebrated for its feminist perspective and its exploration of women’s inner lives in the patriarchal framework of Indian middle-class society. Awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1990, the novel captures the voice of the silenced woman and portrays her struggle for identity and self-expression.

Theme of Silence and Voice

At the heart of the novel is the metaphor of silence—a silence imposed on women by centuries of social conditioning. The protagonist, Jaya, is a middle-class housewife who reflects upon her life when her husband Mohan is implicated in a financial scandal and they retreat to their Bombay flat. The enforced isolation gives Jaya the space to introspect and recognize how she has suppressed her thoughts, ambitions, and individuality to conform to the role of a “good wife.” Her silence, therefore, symbolizes both oppression and complicity. Yet, by the end, her attempt to “break the silence” becomes an act of self-liberation.

Feminist Concerns

Deshpande highlights the dilemmas of an educated Indian woman who is caught between tradition and modernity. Jaya once aspired to be a writer, but she abandoned her career to maintain harmony in her marriage. Her choices reflect how patriarchy demands self-sacrifice from women. The novel questions: Must a woman always erase her desires to sustain familial bonds?

At the same time, Deshpande does not present feminism in a militant or radical sense. Instead, she depicts the everyday realities of compromise, adjustment, and negotiation, which resonate with the experiences of countless Indian women.

Narrative Technique and Style

The novel is written in the first-person narrative, allowing readers intimate access to Jaya’s thoughts, memories, and frustrations. The use of flashbacks and fragmented storytelling mirrors the inner turmoil of the protagonist. The simplicity of Deshpande’s prose and the psychological depth of her characters make the novel deeply realistic and relatable.

Marriage and Gender Roles

Marriage in “That Long Silence” is portrayed as both a partnership and a power struggle. Mohan represents conventional male authority, expecting Jaya to be submissive and supportive. Jaya, in contrast, feels suffocated by the expectation to conform to the image of the silent, sacrificing wife. The novel exposes the gender imbalance within domestic spaces, where the husband’s needs are prioritized over the wife’s individuality.

Search for Identity

The most significant aspect of the novel is Jaya’s quest for selfhood. She comes to realize that her silence has been her greatest betrayal—not just to herself, but to all women. By acknowledging her fears and reclaiming her voice, Jaya begins her journey toward self-assertion. The ending, though open-ended, suggests hope: “I will have to speak, to listen, I will have to erase the silence between us.”

Conclusion

Shashi Deshpande’s “That Long Silence” is a powerful exploration of a woman’s inner conflict, her silences, and her awakening. It reflects the larger struggles of women in patriarchal societies who are torn between tradition and selfhood. The novel does not offer easy solutions but emphasizes the importance of breaking silence as the first step toward empowerment. Thus, “That Long Silence” remains a timeless feminist text that speaks not only for Indian women but for women everywhere seeking their identity, dignity, and voice.