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