C. Theoretical Framework
To answer the problems formulated in the previous chapter, there are some theories which are needed, such as theory of symbol, theory of character and
characterization, and theory of character development. Theory of character and characterization is needed to describe Melinda Sordino as the main character in
the story. Theory of symbol is used to reveal symbols inside the story. To analyze Melinda’s character development, theory of character development is applied.
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CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The novel entitled Speak that is analyzed in this thesis is written by Laurie Halse Anderson. At the end of the book there is also comment from the author,
Laurie Halse Anderson, about the novel. Laurie talks about the idea of writing the novel which began when she had a nightmare. After she woke up at one night, she
heard a girl sobbing and directly checked her daughters but no one cried. She sat down at the computer and wrote out what she was hearing and the next morning
the character Melinda Sordino unfolded. The book is 198-page long and it is devided into four marking period. The book was published firstly in the United
States of America in 1999. Moreover, it was reprinted in 2003 by Penguin Putnam Inc., New York.
The novel has won several awards and honor including the 2000 Golden Kite Award and the 2000 ALA Best Book For Young Adults. Furthermore, Since
it was published, the novel has been translated into sixteen languages. This novel is about a life of a young girl named Melinda Sordino who is
not able to speak up the truth that she is raped by Andi Evans at the summer before her freshman year of her high school. She is raped in the outside of the
woods. She calls 911 but she does not say anything at all. The police comes and breaks the party. After the accident, Melinda still does not tell anyone about what
happened to her including to her family.
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