This Research paper refers to self-perception of Jaya, protagonist of 'That Long Silence' which is a prestigious novel of Shashi Deshpande. She is one of the most eminent novelists of contemporary Indian Literature in English. The present study is an attempt to show how the multi-layered ‘silence’ is used by her protagonist as a strategy to survive, understand and realize her identity and self-esteem, as also to establish and assert her status, role and contribution in the domestic and social domains. Jaya is in search for her ‘self’ in a tradition bound society. This research paper is an honest attempt to show how patriarchal impeded woman’s assertion and tries to oppress her in each and every possible way; and how a woman projects herself as a subject and refuses to live her life in a servile manner. This paper beautifully traces the journey of Jaya, the protagonist from suppression to self- perception.