2024, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A

Shashi Deshpande's sad story, "A Long Silence," offers a rich tapestry for digging into Jaya's complex interplay of identity and self-concept. In this piece, the research delves into Jaya's introspective journey as she struggles with social expectations, familial duties, and a profound desire for personal satisfaction. The study delves deeply into the tremendous consequences of a "long silence" instilled in Jaya from infancy, revealing insight on her psychological battle with the duties forced on her as a wife and mother. This inquiry looks at how Jaya's introspective questioning is triggered by the limits of her restrictive household surroundings. It forces her to confront the mismatch between her own goals and the cultural standards that shape her existence. This essay dissects Jaya's emerging self-awareness layers by layer using Shashi Deshpande's skilled use of stream-of-consciousness and internal monologues. The essay examines how her hidden rebellion reveals itself via acts of disobedience, literary discovery, and her blossoming relationship with an unorthodox lady. In unraveling these memories, this analysis demonstrates the steady deterioration of the "long quiet." It shows Jaya reclaiming parts of her own identity and reshaping her self-concept, indicating a transforming path of self-discovery.