From Silence to Self Discovery A Comparative Analysis of Shashi Deshpande and Taslima Nasrin

Abstract

Sometimes, being silenced helps people figure out their identity by making them able to find out the reason and struggle against it. This study is based on a comparative analysis of Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence and Taslima Nasrin's French Lover through their portrayals of Jaya and Nila. The novels explore the struggle of these two protagonists, who liberate themselves from patriarchal society and conventional thinking. Their silence resonates, prompting them to embrace self-identity and independence. In this comparative analysis, the writers reflect upon their writing styles and those of other authors, highlighting the problems women face of male dominance within their societies. This article, in one way or another, tracks the development of female characters, from silent characters and sweet daughters at home initially to troublesome young married women in the end. The two novels’ female characters are similar because they do not have a voice from the beginning but acquire it towards the end. The lives of these female protagonists, initially depicted as family dolls, undergo significant changes, and they subsequently embark on a journey to discover their own identities. However, these women start to recognize their own speaking and acting abilities, as well as their chauvinistic attitudes.