The Quest for Personal Identity in the Novels of Shashi Deshpande
Keywords:
interethnic harmony, tolerance, universal values, development, monument, resolution, peaceAbstract
Shashi Deshpande, a prominent contemporary Indian author, is renowned for her exploration of complex psychological and emotional states, particularly the internal struggles of women in post-independence India. Central to her works is the theme of personal identity, particularly how it is shaped and reshaped by societal expectations, familial pressures, and individual desires. This paper explores the concept of personal identity in Deshpande’s novels, focusing on how her female protagonists navigate the challenges of self-discovery in a patriarchal society. Through an analysis of key works such as That Long Silence, The Dark Holds No Terrors, and The Binding Vine, this paper highlights the ways in which Deshpande critiques the traditional norms of identity formation, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, self-expression, and inner reconciliation.
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