GENDER INEQUALITY AND MALE DOMINATION IN SHASHI DESHPANDE’S THAT LONG SILENCE

Abstract

Shashi Deshpande is an eminent Indian woman writer in English literature. She focuses on women’s problems, oppression, discrimination and women’s emancipation. The importance of women have been identified in literature in various fields. Indian women have always been socially and psychologically oppressed, sexually utilized and biologically subdued in the male dominated patriarchal society. In her novel That Long Silence, Deshpande explores the innermost feelings, sufferings, and experiences of women who long to establish their individuality, identity and freedom. The story narrates the relationships of the narrator-protagonist Jaya and her hard-boiled husband Mohan with their nineteen years of silence. The main objective of this research is to discuss and analyze gender inequality and male domination in Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence. Descriptive and analytical methods are used in this research. Data is collected from various texts, magazines and articles written by scholars. Deshpande indicates women’s capability and gives awareness to them to overcome the struggles in the society. She raises her voice against gender inequality and male domination. All human beings are created by God with equal rights. So women should be treated equally to men. Gender inequality and male domination should be erased not only in India but all over the world.