This essay criticises Laurie Halse Anderson's portrayal of Andy Evans in "Speak". likening him to a parasite due to his inhuman behavior. It argues that his one-sided depiction limits empathy towards Andy, highlighting the need for more nuanced characterizations of antagonists in literature.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Creation of Distance towards Characters in Speak - Accurate or not?
- Andy Evans as a Parasite
- Andy Evans - Non-human
- Andy Evans - Exploitation
- Andy Evans - Damage
- Andy Evans as a Villain
- A Flat Character
- The Use of Animal-terminology
- Andy Evans - Exploitation
- Power and Dominance
- Profit, Alternatives and Investments
- Overbenfited
- Asymmetrical Influence
- Andy Evans as a Source of Damage
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the portrayal of Andy Evans in Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak. The analysis utilizes the metaphor of a parasite to explore the ways in which the author creates distance between readers and the character, ultimately leading to a negative and unsympathetic perception of him.
- The portrayal of Andy Evans as a parasite, highlighting his non-human, exploitative, and damaging characteristics.
- The use of animalistic terminology to further emphasize the inhumanity of Andy Evans.
- The exploration of the power dynamics in the relationship between Andy and Melinda, emphasizing his exploitative behavior and dominance over her.
- The impact of Andy's actions on Melinda's mental and physical well-being, showcasing the damaging effects of his behavior.
- The author's intention to create a clear distinction between the reader and Andy Evans, preventing empathy and promoting a negative perception.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by establishing Andy Evans as a parasitic character, using the definition of a parasite to analyze his actions and motivations. The author delves into the specific ways in which Andy is depicted as inhuman, exploiting Melinda for his own selfish desires and causing her significant harm. These characteristics are further emphasized through the author's use of animalistic terminology to describe him, further distancing the reader from Andy and fostering a sense of aversion.
The essay continues by exploring the power dynamics in the relationship between Andy and Melinda, emphasizing his exploitative behavior and dominance over her. The author utilizes theories of relationships to highlight how Andy benefits from the power imbalance, ignoring Melinda's feelings and prioritizing his own desires. This further solidifies the image of Andy as a predator, taking advantage of Melinda's vulnerabilities and leaving her feeling powerless and violated.
The essay concludes by examining the impact of Andy's actions on Melinda's mental and physical health. The author highlights specific examples of Melinda's struggles, such as her inability to speak about the trauma and her neglect of her physical well-being. This demonstrates the lasting damage caused by Andy's actions and the author's intention to portray the consequences of such behavior.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of the essay include: Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak, Andy Evans, parasite, character portrayal, distance, inhumanity, exploitation, damage, power dynamics, mental health, physical health, trauma, victimization, reader perception, empathy.
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- Lisa Thöne (Autor), 2020, The Creation of Distance towards Characters in Speak. Accurate or not, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1477008
