A LIBERATED

WOMAN

Sashi
Deshpande
 Introduction to the author

SASHI DESHPANDE
"That Long Silence (1988)"

In her Novel ‘That Long Silence’

(1988) the protagonist, Jaya, is
always advised to adhere to her
husband and her in-laws, and
always keep the family together.
This makes her blame herself,
when her husband, Mohan, loses
his job and loses connection with
her and her son.
"The Intrusion (1993)"
In her work ‘Intrusion’, Deshpande talks
about the intrusion of privacy or marital
rape. She showcases the intrusion of
privacy, the Indian custom of getting the
daughter married off as soon as
possible, and her compliance to her
husband
 Summary of the story
The Protagonist, a successful doctor and mother of two, marries a
man of her choice, despite her parents' wishes. Despite her success,
her husband's writing career stagnates, and he remains a lecturer.
During an interview, their paychecks are compared, leading to a
tragic incident where the husband turns love into an exercise in
sadism. The Protagonist seeks advice from her close friend, Shelley,
who advises her to get a divorce. However, she refuses due to her
beliefs about marriage and her two children. Shelley suggests
talking to her husband, but he is unable to due to traditional Indian
views on marriage. Shelley discovers her giving an interview in a
magazine titled 'A Liberated Woman'.
Themes

Irony Indian Marriage Power Dynamics and Psychological Aspect

system and Society Patriarchy
Shelley compares the India's society and
protagonist to a Deshpande's works India's marriage marriage system
trapped rat who highlight the forced system and societal significantly influence
plugged its way in, as marriages of women, pressures on wives women's attitudes
well as maintaining societal pressures, and have impacted their towards marriage. From
this image to the the need for roles, leading to childhood, women learn
outside world of a compliance to fit into arranged marriages household chores, are
cool, poised, arrogant a perfect 'wife' mold. and societal pressures trained by their families,
‘Liberated’ woman. to conform to a and in-laws enforce
perfect wife mold. these rules in marriage.
 Conclusion
The text’s underlying meaning shows the huge
differences in power dynamics in India’s marriage
system and society's role in the oppression of women in
general.
Overall, Deshpande’s ‘Liberated Woman’ enlightens us
about issues faced by women. It was probably inspired
by the period (1960) and what she faced as a woman.
From the Marital System and society to their own
families, no one is exempted from this cruel cycle of
oppression and individuality of women. Deshpande, in
her other works, comments on oppression and on
showcasing their individuality as well.
Thank You!