EMOTIONAL REALISM AND FEMALE AGENCY: A STUDY OF WOMEN’S VOICES IN SHASHI DESHPANDE’S NOVELS

Abstract

Shashi Deshpande’s literary oeuvre offers a profound exploration of the complex emotional and psychological landscapes of Indian women, making her a significant voice in contemporary Indian English literature. This study delves into Deshpande’s portrayal of women’s inner worlds, their familial roles, and their battles with societal expectations, highlighting her mastery of emotional realism. Through close examination of novels such as Roots and Shadows, The Dark Holds No Terrors, That Long Silence, and The Binding Vine, this paper uncovers how Deshpande intricately weaves the personal struggles, fears, and aspirations of her female protagonists with larger social issues like patriarchal constraints and domestic violence. Her work serves as a platform for amplifying marginalized women’s voices, offering a nuanced depiction of their journey toward self-identity and agency. By analyzing her narrative strategies and thematic concerns, this paper contributes to the discourse on gender dynamics in Indian literature and underscores Deshpande’s role in fostering social awareness through her storytelling.