ABSTRACT

Speak, written by Laurie Halse Anderson, tells us the story of a high school girl, Melinda and her change from keeping silence to uttering her misfortune. The paper aims to analyse Melinda’s characteristics in the light of narration and identity construction and explore the reasons for Melinda’s change in her personalities from the perspective of Bildungsroman in order that this study of Melinda’s growth might be a little enlightening for teenagers in the similar circumstances.

Keywords: Melinda; Speak; Bildungsroman; Identity Construction; Anderson

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Brief Introduction to Anderson and Speak-1

1.2 Literature Review-3

1.3 Purpose and Significance of the Research-4

Chapter Two CHARACTERISTICS OF MELINDA-5

2.1 Melinda’s Monologues-5

2.2 Melinda’s Relationship with Others-6

2.2.1 Melinda’s Relationship with Her Teachers-6

2.2.2 Melinda’s Relationship with Her Friends-7

2.2.3 Melinda’s Relationship with Her Family-8

Chapter Three MELINDA’S GROWTH-9

3.1 Melinda’s Growth-9

3.1.1 From Keeping Silent to Speaking out-9

3.1.2 From Being Coward to Being Brave-9

3.1.3 From Being Passive to Being Active-10

3.2 Speak as A Bildungsroman-10

3.3 Reasons for Melinda’s Growth-11

3.3.1 Melinda’s Epiphany-11

3.3.2 Freeman as An Initiation Mentor-12

Chapter Four CONCLUSION-14

WORKS CITED-16