SELF-DISCOVERY OF INDU IN ROOTS & SHADOWS BY SHASHI DESHPANDE

Abstract

Indu, the protagonist of "Roots and Shadows" by Shashi Deshpande," is an embodiment of the emerging woman, who is proficient in education and closely correlated with society yet eschewing all of its constrictive norms. The novel explores Indu's inner self and her quest for identity and self-assertion. This essay examines Indu's fortitude, bravery, and unorthodox actions as she attempts to come out of the "encagement and entrapment" of societal norms. The working of Indu's consciousness is examined in detail, as she plunges into periods of psychic disturbance. The novel provides a bold treatment of self-discovery, as Indu navigates her way through societal expectations and her own desires. Deshpande emphasises the exploitation of women by traditional rules of oppressive patriarchy via the journey of Indu. Overall, "Roots and Shadows" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of self-discovery and the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies. The paper will analyze the conflicts, compromises, and peculiarities of an Indian, Brahmin, joint family and how it affects Indu's journey of self-discovery. The research paper will be a significant contribution to the study of Indian English literature and a thought-provoking analysis of the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to find one's place in the world.