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Andrea Morales

English Literature

09 April 2017

SILENCE

Silence by Natasha Preston is a novel in which Oakley Farrell is the main character

who has not spoken in years and her family as no idea why. No one quite understands her like

her best friend Cole Benson. While, she has not spoken a single word in years they somehow

communicate through signals and a connection they share between one another. The story goes

more into depth, you can immediately infer the problem Oakley has with talking. At a young age

Oakley was raped by her fathers friend, with her father knowing all about it. When Oakley has

had enough she explains everything to her mom which in soon leads to a federal case in the

country of England. The importance of the outcome of her accusations goes in turn to the

innocence of the English people.

While, the novel is mostly involving Oakleys dramatic event that occurred in her life it is

not all in her point of view. The novel is spoken in first person, however it varies between

Oakleys and Coles point of view. This I believe gives an inside view for the audience. Not

only are you getting Oakleys thoughts and opinions you are also receiving what a side character

is thinking throughout the whole process of the plot. The author tries not to spoil the climax so in

Oakleys point of view her thoughts are very brief in the concept of her reason for not talking.

This causes the reader to look more into the authors word choices and Oakleys actions in order

to understand exactly what Oakley feels.

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Oakley has encountered a dramatic event in her life. She is nothing but unhappy except

for when she is with Cole. Once he was out of view, I let the smile slip from my face (page

11). She wants nothing more than to throw her father in prison forever, but doesnt want to be the

reason for her family being torn apart. I see the way Jasper looks at our dad, like he is his hero. I

cant destroy that (page 54). The information given in the story implies to the reader that

Oakley does not believe that her father is a bad person instead he is troubled.

Once her secret is out she feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders however,

she feels terrible for causing so much trouble for her mom and brother. She blames herself for

being raped. After expressing her innocence she flees her normal life to escape the world with

her beloved Cole. Her normal life she once knew was falling apart. I had to get out of my house,

all everyone was doing is crying and asking if I was okay (page 396).

Upon her return to her normal life she returns to find out that the police had her father in

custody and that he was finally behind bars. However, her mother believes the only thing the

family must do is to leave the country. No matter how much Oakley wants to stay in England she

knows she must leave for her and her familys protection. But, throughout this whole process she

realizes the only person that never left her side was Cole. Her feelings transition greatly from a

friendly way to much more. How can I leave Cole, do I ask him to come with me? (page 510).

In the end she knows she could never ask Cole to come with her and decides to let him go.

With all the events that took place only made Oakley wonder if everything was actually

better than it was before. She lost her father, and Cole, but instead gained her voice. Oakley

experienced and faced rape in Silence. She gains courage to put her perpetrators behind bars
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and gain a whole new, clean life she thought she would never have back. The oppressive nature

of rape in Silence may be a reflection of and not exclusive to the 21st century.