Saru's Journey: Redefining Womanhood in The Dark Holds
No Terror
Snehal Adkar
Ph.D. Research
Scholar
Institute of Advanced Studies in English Aundh, Pune
Maharashtra, India
Abstract: This
research paper examines the challenges faced by characters in Shashi
Deshpande's novel The Dark Holds No Terrors (1980). It focuses on Sarita
(Saru), who struggles to move from traditional values to modern life,
highlighting strong women who defy conservative norms. The novelist known for
her portrayal of women's lives in post-independence India, explores themes like
gender, self-discovery, and social expectations. The story centres on Sarita, a
successful doctor dealing with a troubled marriage and searching for her
identity. Her writing reflects real-life challenges in both urban and rural
settings, showing the impact of modernization. The characters in the novel
often fight against patriarchal norms and seek independence through education
and love, sometimes leading to marital breakdowns. This study highlights how,
despite societal pressures, the female protagonist asserts her identities and
pursue her dreams, emphasizing Shashi Deshpande’s important contributions to
literature and understanding gender issues.
Keywords: Traditional values, Modernization,
Patriarchal norms, Gender issues
Shashi Deshpande's The Dark Holds No Terrors
deeply examines the psychological and emotional challenges faced by its
protagonist, Sarita (Saru), as she grapples with personal desires versus
societal expectations. The novel explores themes of anger, anxiety, conflict,
and depression, presenting Saru's life as a reflection of the struggles many
women endure in a patriarchal society. It highlights her attempts to escape
persistent pain and adversity, illustrating her powerlessness in creating a
meaningful existence. The narrative focuses on rebellion against family
structures rather than society at large, rooted in traditional roles defined by
familial expectations.
Deshpande delves into issues such as gender roles,
identity crises, marital dissatisfaction, and self-realization. Sarita, often
referred to as Saru, begins her journey within a middle-class household where
strict traditions govern her life. Her conservative mother imposes expectations
that constrain her, while her more liberal father remains passive. Motivated by
a desire for autonomy, Sarita seeks independence, but her path is fraught with
emotional turmoil and conflict.
The story begins with Sarita returning to her parental
home after her marriage to Manohar (Manu) collapses. Although a successful
doctor, she feels isolated and distressed. Deshpande's narrative shifts between
Sarita's current struggles and flashbacks to her past, illustrating how her
history shapes her present. The title serves as a metaphor for Sarita’s
journey, confronting her inner darkness filled with painful memories and
unresolved traumas.
In a narrative filled with conflict and challenges, Saru
strives for autonomy within her family and society. Despite her mother’s
opposition, she pursues education to attain financial independence, eventually
gaining admission to medical school. There, she meets Manohar, a writer, and
they fall in love, choosing to marry despite family disapproval.
Saru's mother, deeply attached to her son Dhruva,
believes in traditional gender roles that prioritize male children. After
Dhruva's accidental drowning, Sarita faces her mother's relentless blame,
leading to her internalization of guilt. However, with reflection following her
mother's death, Sarita accepts that the tragedy was not her fault.
Before marriage, Sarita (Saru)
moves in with Manohar and excels in her medical career, achieving respect and
financial success. Yet, as Sarita’s popularity grows, Manohar feels threatened,
revealing a strain in their relationship. His patriarchal mindset hampers his
ability to appreciate her success, causing Sarita to recognize the limitations
of their marriage. Ultimately, she decides to leave Manohar, her children, and
her profession behind.
After her mother’s death, Saru
returns to her childhood home, where her father’s relationship with a young man
named Madhav leaves her feeling alienated. In seeking comfort with Madhav, she
faces a dilemma when her son Abhi reaches out, asking her to return and accept
family conditions. This prompts her decision to reunite with her family,
closing the narrative.
Saru's journey reflects
broader societal pressures that limit women's freedom and potential. Her
struggles highlight the impact of patriarchy on self-worth and identity. From
childhood, Saru feels the weight of gender biases, exacerbated in her marriage
to Manohar, where traditional power dynamics prevail. Despite her professional
achievements, she grapples with societal expectations to prioritize familial
roles over personal aspirations.
Throughout the novel, Saru’s
fragmented sense of self and identity crisis emerge as central themes. The
title symbolizes her repressed emotions and unexamined past, which she must
confront to forge a coherent identity. Her experiences reveal a deeper battle
with societal norms, ultimately leading her to seek autonomy amidst traditional
constraints. Her emotional journey underscores the conflict between personal
desires and societal demands, capturing the essence of her quest for selfhood.
The theme of trauma, both
emotional and psychological, is central to Saru's struggle in the novel. Her
difficult childhood, characterized by a fraught relationship with her father,
instils feelings of inadequacy and neglect. Although he was not abusive, his
favouritism toward her brother and lack of support contribute to Saru's sense
of worthlessness, compounded by societal biases against women. This neglect
fuels her feelings of failure and belief that her emotional needs are unworthy
of attention.
Saru's marriage to Manohar
adds to her trauma, marked by emotional neglect and occasional abuse. Initially
filled with idealism, the marriage deteriorates as Manohar becomes indifferent,
leaving her feeling a profound void. The combined effects of her childhood trauma
and marital disillusionment deepen her sense of powerlessness.
However, the novel also
highlights the healing potential of confronting one’s past. Saru’s return to
her parental home allows her to process long-suppressed emotions, helping her
understand their impact on her present. Acknowledging her trauma is crucial for
her healing journey, as it helps her recognize the origins of her pain.
Towards the end, Saru’s
perception of ‘darkness’ shifts from a symbol of fear to a space for
self-discovery and growth. Confronting her fears and accepting her past becomes
essential in reclaiming her identity. Additionally, she finds strength in
female solidarity, especially through her relationship with her colleague
Meera. Their shared experiences of marital dissatisfaction help Sarita realize
that her struggles are not isolated, empowering her to take steps toward
liberation from her stifling marriage. The support between women forms a vital
emotional network, giving Saru the courage to rediscover her voice.
Saru's childhood was also
marked by emotional neglect from her mother, who favoured her brothers and
offered little affection. This further reinforced her feelings of invisibility.
Despite her mother’s objections, Saru pursues higher education, challenging societal
and familial norms. The criticism she faces from her mother fuels her
determination to distance herself from her family's constraints in search of a
fulfilling life.
Saru's ambition for education
becomes a means to achieve economic independence and make her own choices.
Despite her family's limited support and her mother's undermining behaviour,
she remains focused on her goals. When she meets Manohar, she sees in him a
potential escape from her painful past, believing he can provide the love and
security she has long sought.
The story unfolds in a complex
social landscape marked by familial expectations and personal aspirations.
Saru’s traditional mother disapproves of her marriage to Manohar, a man from a
lower caste. Defying her family's wishes, she elopes and marries him, finding
initial joy and relief in their union while pursuing her education. However, as
time passes, the happiness of their marriage diminishes, leading her to reflect
on the intricacies of human relationships and her unfulfilled desire for love
and intimacy.
Saru's journey into medicine
culminates in her earning an M.B.B.S. degree and establishing a successful
career as a compassionate doctor. Despite her achievements, Manohar feels
threatened by her success, leading to a power struggle that strains their
relationship. His jealousy manifests in controlling behaviours, causing her to
grapple with guilt over neglecting her family. The emotional disconnect grows,
as Manohar's criticisms and belittlement take a toll on her mental well-being.
As her professional life
flourishes, Saru's personal life spirals into turmoil. Manohar's need for
dominance culminates in abusive behaviour, forcing her into a dual existence—an
accomplished doctor by day and a victim of her husband's violence by night.
This conflict highlights the complexities of human behaviour, as she
contemplates the motivations behind actions driven by ego rather than reason.
The narrative takes a further
emotional turn with the news of her mother's death, prompting Saru to confront
unresolved feelings from her childhood. Memories of her mother’s harsh words
and accusations weigh heavily on her, particularly concerning a tragic incident
involving her brother. Seeking closure, she returns to her father’s home,
hoping for understanding but instead encounters his coldness.
Living with her father proves
isolating, yet she finds solace in her conversations with Madhav, a dedicated
student who provides a stark contrast to her troubled marriage. Their exchanges
offer Saru a glimpse of connection and support, yet she remains burdened by her
unresolved past and the emotional distance from her family. Ultimately, journey
reflects the intricate interplay of personal fulfilment, societal expectations,
and the challenges of maintaining meaningful relationships amid adversity.
Saru experiences overwhelming
confusion and guilt, feeling she has wronged those closest to her, including
her mother, husband, and children. As she grapples with her circumstances, she
receives a letter from her husband, Manohar, which intensifies her emotional
turmoil. Her feelings are not rooted in anger but in a profound sense of
responsibility for her choices. She reflects on the constraints placed on her
as a woman, grappling with dissatisfaction regarding her societal role. Baba,
concerned for her well-being, realizes her marital life has been unhappy, yet
he feels powerless to change her situation.
During a brief stay at Baba’s
house, Sarita finds solace in the company of Baba and Madhav, but a letter from
her son Abhi reveals troubling behaviour from Manohar, prompting her to decide
to leave her home. Despite Baba's sorrow and acknowledgment of his past
mistakes, he supports Saru’s decision, recognizing her struggles and lack of
love and support.
Shashi Deshpande’s The Dark
Holds No Terrors explores the complexities of middle-class families,
highlighting themes of conflict, resentment, and the societal roles of men and
women. The characters, including Sarita (Saru), Baba, Madhav, and Smita, are
intricately portrayed, each contributing to the narrative's depth. Saru
embodies a struggle between acceptance and rebellion, while Manohar's initial
charm devolves into an oppressive presence, revealing the challenges of their
relationship.
Madhav provides support and
companionship, while Smita acts as a positive influence, contrasting with
Saru’s struggles. The generational conflict between Sarita and her mother
underscores the tension between tradition and modernity. The novel addresses
women's societal positions, navigating the complexities of their roles within a
patriarchal framework.
The novelist presents Saru’s
journey through stages of escape, frustration, and an eventual attempt at
self-reclamation. Her declaration, ‘My life is my own,’ signifies a quest for
autonomy against imposed limitations. While the novel does not directly address
political themes of women's solidarity, it emphasizes the importance of mutual
support among women for emotional growth. Ultimately, her evolution represents
a broader struggle for women to confront their past and assert their identity,
offering a message of hope and empowerment amidst societal challenges.
Shashi Deshpande's novel
portrays women dealing with societal expectations, family duties, and personal
identity. The main character, Saru, faces struggles that many women do in a
patriarchal society that limits their freedom. She explores themes of
independence, self-worth, and the effects of emotional trauma. She battles her
past while trying to balance her marriage and career. Her experiences with
domestic violence and neglect from her father push her to confront her
self-worth and seek independence. Her marriage to Manohar shows how love can
become controlling, leading Saru to reclaim her agency by deciding to leave
him. She highlights the need to reconcile past experiences to heal and grow.
Saru’s journey encourages readers to think about the challenges women face and
the power of self-empowerment. Overall, the novels celebrate women's strength
and emphasize the importance of their voices.
As a significant female Indian
writer, Deshpande addresses issues of gender and family in a way that resonates
across cultures. Her work enhances female representation in literature and
invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, securing her place as an
important figure in Indian literature.
Works Cited
Beauvoir, Simone, De. The Second Sex. Trans. H.M. Parshley. London:
Vintage, 1997, p. 173
P. Ramamoorthi, My life is my own: A Study of Shashi
Deshpande's Women', Feminism and Recent Fiction in English, ed. Sushila Singh, New Delhi:
Prestige Books,1991, p.125.
S.P. Swain, Shashi Deshpande's The Dark Holds No
Terrors: Saru's feminine Sensibility. In R.K. Dhawan (Ed.), Indian Women Novelists (Vol. Volume IV).
New Delhi: Prestige Books, 1995, p.39
Shashi
Deshpande, Dark Holds No Terrors, India:
Vikas, 1980.