Breaking the Silence: Sarita as a Survivor of Physical and Psychological Abuses in the Novel Dark Holds No Terror by Sashi Deshpande

Name of Author : K. Sivalingam & J. Kokilavani

Abstract: This Paper attempts to reveal the true nature of patriarchy which stays in society in various shapes and forms to confine women by despising their inner strength and individuality. The Dark Holds No Terror by Shashi Deshpande portrays a pathetic image of the state of women in traditional Indian households. As an Indian Female novelist Sashi Deshpande describes all kinds of oppression towards women which happen physically and psychologically. The novel has many women characters shows their sufferings and subjugations for being women in our society. It also highlights male chauvinism that drives men to refuse a submissive position in a marital relationship. The novel narrates the harrowing experience of Sarita who called as Saru and Sarutai in the entire novel, who enjoys a sudden higher socio-economic status than her husband Manohar which ruins her marital life. She also had a bitter relationship with her mother because of her brothers death which tormented her peace in her life. Towards the end of the novel, Saru tries to recollect her devastated life and reconciles with the situations that anguished her the most. This study aims to highlight the quest and assertion of identities of the character Sarita. It also aims to emphasize the man woman relationship in our societies and the explosion of the long silence of women towards the oppression.

Keywords : Trauma, Oppression, discrimination, domestic Violence, Quest, Identity Crisis , enlightenment, subjugations, sufferings

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