Silenced every day and scrutinized at every moment of their existence. A woman’s life is filled with more silence than words. The road to self-fulfilment is an empowering one. But not every woman is bestowed with the courage to embark on the same. Yet those who end up embarking on this road, leave a story waiting to be told. This tale will further inspire others to take that step too. Shashi Deshpande brings to light the tale of one such typical Indian woman Jaya and her struggle to find her own identity with “That Long Silence”.
That Long Silence: A Closer Look
A highly captivating novel, “That Long Silence” by Shashi Deshpande is a work that was way ahead of its time. Focusing on the urban Indian setting of the 1980s, “That Long Silence” explores various themes that are still relevant to today’s society. Told through the narrative of Jaya, a middle-aged woman, who is portrayed as a typical Indian wife and mother, we get to see the world through the lens of a homemaker. Following the gender roles and ideals set by the society for her, Jaya’s life seems perfect on the surface but only when one takes a closer look does one realise everything is far from perfect.
Addressing the issue of women living in a patriarchal society, this novel brings to life the unrealistic expectations and ideals set for a woman that hinders her growth in every sphere of life. Women are expected to be good wives, sacrifice their wishes and dreams for the family, and live like a shadow never to take the spotlight. The title of the book, “That Long Silence” alludes to the experience of the protagonist Jaya as she silences her dreams for society.
Highlighting the importance of self-discovery through Jaya’s struggles, “That Long Silence” questions all the ideals set by patriarchy and dares to ask who truly benefits from these ideals. The perfect dream that patriarchy makes a woman dream, how perfect it truly is? That’s the question this novel goes on to address as we see the growing cracks hidden under the veil of a perfect marriage that Jaya shares with her husband. Diving deep into the world of marital relationships and the complexities that come with it when mixed with societal expectations, “That Long Silence” brings to light how “everything that glitters is not always gold”.
Afterword
By peeling an onion called patriarchy, “That Long Silence” shows us the different layers and forms in which patriarchy exists in our society. Written at a time when patriarchy was the norm, this novel dares to put forth the idea of self-discovery which is not always in line with society’s expectations. A must-read for anyone interested in gender issues and finding one’s identity, this novel will surely leave you seeking more answers to questions you never knew you had.
