Theme of Silent Suffering Married Women in the Contemporary Indian Society Described in Deshpande’s Novel A Matter of Time

Abstract

Since the dawn of civilisation our society has ever been male oriented and masculine
dominated. The novels of Shashi Deshpande are not exceptions because here too male characters are
presented and described as dominant figures but female characters have very wisely made their place
and bound them either to make compromises or live their lives happily with them.
A Matter of Time (1996), is the seventh novel written by Shashi Deshpande. In this novel, it is for
the first time that Deshpande makes an effort to highlight a male protagonist, Gopal. This novel has a
fascinating story of three strong women representing three generations in the family. This is a story of
their pains, endurance, suffering, love, understanding and support extended to one another. Sumi and
Gopal had a love marriage and now have three young daughters - Aru, Charu and Sumi. At the opening
of the novel, Gopal enters house and tells Sumi that he is leaving the house. Sumi does not know what
to say and he goes out as quietly as he had come in. The next morning, Sumi tells her daughters about
it, almost exactly repeating Gopal's words, leaving out nothing. Sumi, though immensely hurt by Gopal's
action, endures the pains within herself and tries to keep the things normal for her daughters. And yet
Sumi, despite her facade of normality, has a quality about her — a kind of blankness — that makes them
uneasy.
Shripati, Sumi's father, takes them to 'Big-House', her parental home. Kalyani, her mother is shattered
to know about it. Gopal's desertion is not just a tragedy, it is both a shame and a disgrace. Sumi is trying
to endure the pains and humiliation 'wordlessly'. For family and friends, there is an awkwardness about
the whole thing, and discomfort and uneasiness pervade more than grief and anger. They don't find, the
right way dealing with her apparent stoicism. They are puzzled by her self-control. Sumi appears to be
an epitome of silent suffering and passive resistance. But, the novelist feels, she made of different stuff.
She blocks out the unpleasantness. She has a good opinion of herself, she more concerned with getting
on with the life. She does not want pity; she would do anything for pride. Even her daughters are puzzled
and intrigued and, in a way, angered and hurt by her 'stoicism'. They want to share the pains, loss and ISSN 2581-8996
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hurt which seem to be impossible with Sumi. When Devi cries and tells Sumi, “Maybe I am crying
because you don't. You don't even talk about it."
The novel ends on a tragic note with the sudden death of Sumi and her father, Shripati in a road
accident. Thus, this is a male oriented novel where a male, character Gopal dominates another female
character.
Key Words- Theme of Silent Suffering Married Women, Contemporary Indian Society, Described in
Deshpande’s Novel