Shashi Deshpande has emerged as an outstanding novelist on the literary scene. She is one of them who has taken up the woman cause most ardently and earnestly. She represents India and contemporary Indian Literature, especially in the English-speaking world, with great distinction. Acclaimed by the reading public, decorated by the Sahitya Akademi Award and other literary organizations, she is considered as a forceful writer, with an excellent commend over English language and narrative skill.

In contemporary Indian Literature In English Shashi Deshpande occupies a prominent position as a novelist. Her introspection and psychological probe make her second to none in revealing the subconscious psyche of her characters as compared to many other Indians woman novelists of 20^th century, she is much more vociferous in voicing her fears and concerns regarding the future of woman in uncongenial surroundings. Her female protagonists are sensitive, self-conscious, brilliant and creative. Both Java (in That Long Silence) and Sarita (in Dark Holds No Terrors) evince the novelist’s concern for all these women who are being misunderstood and passing through a great turmoil and suffering. Her protagonists are desirous to revolt against the stereo type role assigned to them by the society. Initially victims of self-denial, they are at conflict with their inner selves because they deny their real feelings.

Shashi Deshpande dose not believe in offering readymade solution. But the conviction that “we can always hope” and that “life has always to be made possible”, speaks of a genuinely a positive attitude of life. Deshpande’s protagonists finally, after looming large into the dilemmas of desires and dreams, become disillusioned in due course. Now they try their best to confirm their roles to real life and the novels end with an optimistic note with the possibility of some positive actions in future. The novelist emerges as a bridge-builder between the old and the new, between tradition and modernity.

Shashi Deshpande’s novels stand distinguished in portraying Indian women in the social life of India at a given time with befitting mythical exploration.

The present book saw the light of the day after the cooperation and suggestions of a number of people to whom I want to record my obligations. I am thankful to Dr. B. B. Choubey, Chairman, Board of Studies in English, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati and Dr. S. P. Joshi, Head, Dept. of English, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati for their valuable suggestions and guidance. I am also thankful to my father Mr. Arvind Tare for his blessings. My thanks are also due to my wife Adv. Mrs. Radha Tare and my daughter Sharayu Tare for encouraging me to do research on gender discrimination. Last but not the least my thanks also go to Mr. Atul Charhate for typing this book so nicely and promptly.