Silence as a Literary and Cultural Device in Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence

Silence is a rich and multifaceted literary and cultural device as used by Shashi Deshpande in That Long Silence. It is used to explore themes of oppression, identity, infidelity, and emotional distance, as well as moments of transformation in the relationship of husbands and wives in Indian patriarchal society. Furthermore, the novel not only offers a powerful critique of patriarchal dominated Indian society but also a call for women to find their voice and assert their identities on their own terms. This research paper attempts to show that the use of silence not only seeks to challenge traditional patriarchal social norms and expectations but also explores the emotional and psychological worlds of Indian housewives with wounded psyche.