Image of New Women in Shashi Deshpande's The Dark Holds No Terrors

Abstract

Shashi Deshpattde's novels explore the patriarchal set up in India and her protagonist, located within the social culture reach out to define the self in an attempt to free themselves in their search for freedom they modify the cultural norms that bind them and try to create an identity of their own. Deshpande’s woman Saru in the Dark Holds no Terrors attempt to reassume her place in family, society on the basis of equality. She tries to understand herself, her past, her culture, her place in society and her relationship with her husband. Deshpande rejects the stereotypes, the myths which have so shaped the image of women, in India.