Male Silence and Patriarchal Control: A Review of Critical Perspectives in Post-1990s Indian English Fiction

Abstract

Silence is often described in its simplest form as the lack of sound or the act of not speaking.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it means “complete absence of sound” or “the
state of abstaining from speech.” The origin of the word can be traced back to the Latin word
silentium, which refers to “stillness” or “quiet.” However, this narrow definition does not
capture the full meaning of silence in human life and society. Silence is not only about the
physical absence of noise. It can also take on many different roles and meanings depending
on the situation. At times, silence may be a personal choice, when someone decides to remain
quiet for reflection or inner peace. In other cases, it can be a sign of repression, when people
are forced into silence by authority or power. Silence can also serve as a form of resistance,
where refusing to speak becomes an act of protest or defiance. On another level, it can
represent deep thought, meditation, or emotional withdrawal. At the same time, silence may
also be used as a tool of control or oppression, when voices are deliberately suppressed. Thus,
silence is not just the absence of speech or sound. It is a complex human and social
phenomenon that carries multiple layers of meaning depending on the context.