Ambivalent Female Identity in Shashi Deshpande’sThe Dark Holds No Terrors
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Department of English
Abstract
Problems of the adjustment and conflictin the minds of protagonists who
ultimately compromise withthe traditional ruleseven as theyasserttheir individuality are
the most dominant issues throughout Deshpande’s novels andThe Dark Holds No Terrors
isno exception. The protagonist of the novelSaritapresents herself as a woman who
wants toundergo self-quest and befree from the restrictions imposed by society, culture
and nature. Her search for release from the constraints of the tradition-bound institution of
marriagemakes her realize that complete autonomy is hard to achieve. The perception of
the predicament of the human existence of alienation and isolation makes hercome to
termswith society. Hence,the tension between compliance and rebellioncreatesan
ambivalent position on part of the protagonist. This position of ambivalence fromwhich
Sarita wants to come outis resolved as she learns to trust her feminine self. Theexpression
of the assertion of her individuality, her willingnessto confront reality and not to run away
from it displays courage,commitment to herself,and an affirmation of life and society.