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
- Introduction
- Melinda's Physical Appearance as a Reflection of her Trauma
- Melinda's Body Language as an Expression of Avoidance
Objectives and Key Themes
This analysis aims to explore the nonverbal communication of Melinda, the protagonist in Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, focusing on how her physical appearance and body language reflect her trauma and coping mechanisms. It examines how Anderson uses these nonverbal cues to convey Melinda's internal struggles and gradual healing process without explicitly stating the details of her trauma.
- The impact of trauma on nonverbal communication
- The use of physical appearance as a symbolic representation of emotional state
- The role of body language in expressing avoidance and isolation
- Melinda's journey of healing and self-discovery
- The power of nonverbal communication in storytelling
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by establishing the central concept of nonverbal communication and its significance in understanding Melinda's experiences. It introduces the novel's premise of Melinda's silence and the author's technique of using nonverbal cues to communicate her trauma. The quote from Watzlawick highlights the impossibility of not communicating, even without spoken words, and sets the framework for analyzing Melinda’s non-verbal actions. The section also introduces the concept of low self-esteem within young adult fiction and its relevance to Melinda's character.
Melinda's Physical Appearance as a Reflection of her Trauma: This section meticulously details how Melinda's neglected appearance – unwashed hair, ill-fitting clothes, and self-harm – directly mirrors her internal emotional state following the rape. The author's strategic avoidance of direct descriptions of Melinda's appearance, coupled with the reactions of others and her own fleeting self-observations, powerfully underscores her trauma's impact. The contrast between Melinda's appearance and that of other students highlights her isolation and emphasizes the deterioration of her self-care. The reference to Maya Angelou's poster serves as a symbol of hope and resilience for Melinda, highlighting the potential for healing and recovery despite her trauma.
Melinda's Body Language as an Expression of Avoidance: This section focuses on how Melinda's body language – her avoidance of eye contact, her physical withdrawal, and her unconscious reactions to triggering situations – reveal her trauma. The analysis illustrates how Melinda uses body language as a defense mechanism against confronting the emotional pain associated with the rape. The chapter explores how these nonverbal cues provide insight into Melinda's psychological and emotional state while also emphasizing the subtle and unconscious ways trauma manifests physically. The gradual improvement in her body language as the narrative progresses signifies her journey toward healing and recovery.
Keywords
Nonverbal communication, trauma, young adult fiction, body language, physical appearance, silence, healing, self-esteem, Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak, Melinda, rape, isolation, avoidance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Nonverbal Communication in Laurie Halse Anderson's *Speak*
What is the main focus of this analysis?
This analysis focuses on the nonverbal communication of Melinda, the protagonist in Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. It examines how her physical appearance and body language reflect her trauma and coping mechanisms, and how the author uses these nonverbal cues to convey Melinda's internal struggles and healing process without explicitly detailing her trauma.
What key themes are explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of trauma on nonverbal communication, the symbolic representation of emotional states through physical appearance, the role of body language in expressing avoidance and isolation, Melinda's journey of healing and self-discovery, and the power of nonverbal communication in storytelling.
What aspects of Melinda's nonverbal communication are analyzed?
The analysis meticulously examines Melinda's neglected physical appearance (unwashed hair, ill-fitting clothes, self-harm) as a reflection of her internal emotional state. It also explores her body language, including avoidance of eye contact, physical withdrawal, and unconscious reactions to triggering situations, as defense mechanisms against confronting her trauma.
How does Melinda's appearance change throughout the narrative?
The analysis highlights the contrast between Melinda's appearance and that of other students, emphasizing her isolation and the deterioration of her self-care. However, a gradual improvement in her body language as the narrative progresses signifies her journey toward healing and recovery.
What is the significance of the author's writing style in conveying Melinda's trauma?
The author's strategic avoidance of direct descriptions of Melinda's appearance, coupled with the reactions of others and Melinda's fleeting self-observations, powerfully underscores the impact of her trauma. The subtle and unconscious ways trauma manifests physically are emphasized.
What role does silence play in the narrative?
Melinda's silence is a central element, and the analysis uses the quote from Watzlawick ("One cannot not communicate") to highlight that even silence communicates. The analysis focuses on how nonverbal cues become crucial for understanding Melinda’s experiences.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes chapter summaries for the Introduction, Melinda's Physical Appearance as a Reflection of her Trauma, and Melinda's Body Language as an Expression of Avoidance. These summaries outline the key arguments and findings of each chapter.
What are some key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include nonverbal communication, trauma, young adult fiction, body language, physical appearance, silence, healing, self-esteem, Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak, Melinda, rape, isolation, and avoidance.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how nonverbal communication is used to portray the effects of trauma and the subsequent healing process in Laurie Halse Anderson's *Speak*. It demonstrates how subtle nonverbal cues can powerfully communicate complex emotional states.
- Quote paper
- Anna Dierks (Author), 2017, The Nonverbal Communication of Melinda in Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378277
