Silence as a Strategy of Protest in Nicholas Sparks’A Walk to Remember

Abstract

This thesis makes a study of Sparks’ novelA Walk to Remember. Itseeks an issue of restrictive stereotypes based on the male hegemonic modelspervasive in Beaufort, North Carolina of 1990’s. It also seeks to propose alternative models to counter such stereotypical concepts associated to the margin. Spark’s novel propounds the alternative paradigm of resistance against the organized andinstitutionalized ideologyof Beaufort society towards female. The conclusive finding of this thesis is that by remaining silent, certain kind of the reform can be introduced. Some of the progressive agendas of reform and social justice can be implemented by relying upon the discourse of silence and taciturnity. By being vocal and rhetorical, it is not fully possible to introduce the intended reform and transformation. In the silence pursued and maintained by Jamie, there is no sense of cowardice and self-surrender on the part of her. Far from assuming the rhetorical tone, Jamie in a novel occupies the silent posture. She is laconic but her silence tells many things regarding to the stereotypes of Beaufort society towards female. The female character Jamie in the text, elicit such complex layers of oppression due to her innocence and her simple physical appearance. This novel also shows how superficiality and judgement of a person is based on physical appearance. The research makes the study of the protagonist Jamie’s in relation to her formulated silence which is seen in relation to acts of resistance and a potentiality for plurality in society for both genders.