Norms of Gender Discourse and the Novels of Shashi Deshpande

Novels of Shashi Deshpande are critically appreciated as a resistant reading of the gendered materials involved in constructing the ideals of mainstream, orthodox practices. Perpetual negotiation between the socio-cultural norms and individual urges establish her novels as ‘a discourse of muted women’s culture’. Gender becomes an analytical tool to explain the making of her characters. Muted Group Theory propagated by Edwin Ardener/Sherley Ardener along with communication theories are used to develop framework of Muted Gender Discourse.It explains how women have been schooled to silence in the name of idealized female roles. “Assertion of the Self” deals with a ‘self’ open to de-re-construction. Theme of assertion has been taken up as a method of resistance, rejection and subversion of gender norms. “The Struggle for Autonomy” is based on ‘relational autonomy’ by C MacKenzie & N Stoljar. Realization of autonomy by her later protagonists is through deep understanding of gendered socio-cultural structure. Work would prove indispensable for scholars of English literature,gender studies and would appeal to those interested in the fictional work of Contemporary Indian women novelists.