One cannot not communicate. Of course, communication does require words that are spoken, but there is more to it than that, such as intonation, the speed of your language, breaks, laughter, sighs, your appearance and your body language. According to Paul Watzlawick, any kind of behavior belongs in the category of communication. Since it is not possible to not behave, it is also impossible to not communicate, even without words. Needless to say, the spoken word is what most conversations depend on and which represents a major part of communication. However, language is not innocent and has often been used by many people to manipulate or offend someone else. People with a low self-esteem often appear quiet and hardly share their actual opinion. They fear the negative consequences that could occur after saying something critical. Also, they neither believe in themselves, nor that anyone cares about what they say. The issue of a low self-perception forms a major idea of Young Adult Fiction which is the genre that particularly addresses the youth as it copes with subject matters adolescents can relate to. The author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, positions the main character Melinda very clearly towards communication in the beginning of the book with the following statement: “It is easier to not say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.” Not speaking even if you were able to means breaking up with the ability of communication and severing all your contacts. This is how the character Melinda completely isolates herself from her surroundings when she is not speaking which is a consequence to the trauma she suffers after being raped. Anderson makes Melinda avoid most trouble and public embarrassments and puts her into a state of shock. Although Melinda’s inner voice often appears very sarcastic and humorous, she hardly speaks to other people around her. Still, the reader is a witness to the events in Melinda’s everyday high school life and learns a lot about her life only from the images that Anderson is describing in each chapter. Through a reference structure, the author makes sure that the reader constantly perceives Melinda’s wellbeing on different levels when she creates images and atmosphere rather than telling the actual meaning of certain subjects.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Analysis of Physical Appearance
3. Analysis of Body Language
4. Analysis of Social Behavior
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Research Topics
This paper examines how Laurie Halse Anderson uses nonverbal communication to portray the psychological state and trauma of the protagonist Melinda in the novel Speak. The analysis explores how Melinda's physical appearance, body language, and social interactions serve as subliminal indicators of her internal struggle following a traumatic sexual assault.
- The role of nonverbal cues in characterization
- Melinda's isolation and defensive behaviors
- The impact of trauma on social integration
- Young Adult Fiction as a medium for addressing complex social issues
Excerpt from the Book
The Nonverbal Communication of Melinda in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak
One cannot not communicate. Of course, communication does require words that are spoken, but there is more to it than that, such as intonation, the speed of your language, breaks, laughter, sighs, your appearance and your body language. According to Paul Watzlawick, any kind of behavior belongs in the category of communication. Since it is not possible to not behave, it is also impossible to not communicate, even without words (Watzlawick, Beavin, Jackson, 50). Needless to say, the spoken word is what most conversations depend on and which represents a major part of communication. However, language is not innocent and has often been used by many people to manipulate or offend someone else.
People with a low self-esteem often appear quiet and hardly share their actual opinion. They fear the negative consequences that could occur after saying something critical. Also, they neither believe in themselves, nor that anyone cares about what they say. The issue of a low self-perception forms a major idea of Young Adult Fiction which is the genre that particularly addresses the youth as it copes with subject matters adolescents can relate to. The author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, positions the main character Melinda very clearly towards communication in the beginning of the book with the following statement: “It is easier to not say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.” (Anderson, 13) Not speaking even if you were able to means breaking up with the ability of communication and severing all your contacts. This is how the character Melinda completely isolates herself from her surroundings when she is not speaking which is a consequence to the trauma she suffers after being raped.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the theoretical premise that behavior is communication, linking the protagonist's silence to the psychological trauma of sexual assault.
2. Analysis of Physical Appearance: This section details how Melinda's neglected appearance and clothing choices act as visual markers of her emotional distress and her desire to remain invisible.
3. Analysis of Body Language: This chapter explores how Melinda uses physical responses, such as closing her eyes or physical illness, to cope with situations that trigger traumatic memories.
4. Analysis of Social Behavior: This section investigates Melinda's withdrawal from her peer group and her search for a safe, isolated space, as well as her eventual slow progression toward recovery.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes how the nonverbal elements effectively communicate Melinda's healing process and highlights the importance of Young Adult Fiction in helping teenagers navigate complex realities.
Keywords
Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, nonverbal communication, trauma, sexual assault, isolation, Young Adult Fiction, body language, self-perception, healing, social behavior, adolescence, mental health, coping mechanisms, protagonist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the nonverbal communication used by the author Laurie Halse Anderson to characterize the protagonist, Melinda, in the novel Speak, specifically regarding her trauma recovery.
What are the primary thematic fields discussed?
The main themes include the psychological effects of rape, the nature of communication and silence, social isolation among teenagers, and the role of Young Adult Fiction in addressing adolescent trauma.
What is the primary research goal?
The research aims to demonstrate how Anderson portrays Melinda's internal state through nonverbal channels rather than explicit dialogue.
Which scientific framework is used?
The paper utilizes Paul Watzlawick’s communication theory, which asserts that "one cannot not communicate," to analyze the character's behavioral patterns.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body examines three specific domains: Melinda's physical appearance, her body language, and her social behavior, tracking her development throughout the novel.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include trauma, nonverbal communication, isolation, Young Adult Fiction, and psychological healing.
Why does Melinda isolate herself in a janitor’s closet?
The closet serves as a physical representation of Melinda's need for safety and a space where she can exist without the pressure of societal expectations or judgment from peers.
What is the significance of the "Bologna girl" label?
It represents Melinda's search for a new, adjusted identity as an outcast and carries deeper, negative connotations related to how she feels she is perceived or used by others.
How does the poster of Maya Angelou influence Melinda?
The poster provides a vital role model for Melinda, representing a survivor of sexual violence and encouraging her to confront her own traumatic experience.
Does Melinda's silence persist until the end?
No, the paper highlights a progressive healing process where Melinda eventually finds her voice and the courage to alert others, signaling a move toward normalcy.
- Citation du texte
- Anna Dierks (Auteur), 2017, The Nonverbal Communication of Melinda in Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378277
