Speech Sounds

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1983

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Story Analysis

Character Analysis

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Character Analysis

Valerie Rye

Valerie Rye, who goes by “Rye” for most of the story, is the protagonist. The narrative follows her on a trip from Los Angeles to Pasadena and describes her encounters along the way that ultimately derail the course of her journey. Rye is in emotional pain, as the illness has killed her husband, children, and other close family members. Left alone, she resolves to look for distant family in L.A., her only alternative to suicide.

In a world that lacks any semblance of order, Rye struggles with identifying a reason to live. At the story’s beginning, Rye’s purpose is to find her brother and two nephews. There is much uncertainty around this goal, as they are right-handed and likely severely impaired by the illness. In addition, men have fared worse in this pandemic. When she meets Obsidian, suddenly the prospect of their togetherness becomes her new reason to live, and she abandons the trip to her brother. But this is short-lived. When she meets the children who can speak, her new reason to live is to care for them. Rye’s constantly shifting purpose reflects the instability of the dystopian world she lives in and how difficult it is to rely on others when they are dead, at risk of dying, or trying to kill you.

Obsidian

When Rye meets Obsidian, he is wearing a fully equipped Los Angeles Police Department uniform. His attire is unusual, as all institutions—including the government—have long since collapsed. Butler does not explain whether Obsidian used to be an officer or found the uniform. Still, he attempts to operate as an officer. He seeks out opportunities to deescalate hostile situations and be a public servant. In his efforts, Obsidian represents a remnant of civilization.

When Obsidian agrees to be with Rye, she feels like she can forget her troubles for a while. She calculates that the food she has at home will be enough for them, takes comfort in this new protection from her predatory neighbor, and starts to feel as though she “ha[s] someone again” (Paragraph 80). But only a few paragraphs later, Obsidian is murdered. Narratively, his death serves as a false start to Rye’s new life with some small purpose and joy (until she meets the children). Obsidian’s death also represents how nothing in this broken society is stable, certain, or lasting. When he dies as a vigilante police officer, it reflects how the illness relentlessly destroys any remnants of civilization.

The Two Children

Two toddlers emerge from a nearby house after a deadly altercation that leaves the woman, man, and Obsidian dead. It is implied that the woman was their mother. The little girl and boy both can speak, which is incredibly rare. The children represent hope, possibility, and change.

Throughout the story, there is no direct speech. All the “dialogue” is in gestures and the narrator’s interpretations of those thoughts. When the children enter the narrative, Butler introduces the first moment of direct speech: “No!” Their speech provides hope that there can be a life after the illness or a break in “the silence,” as Rye calls it. Likewise, this first moment of direct speech breaks the narrative silence for the reader who has not “heard” the characters speak. At the level of the narrative and the meta-narrative, the children’s exclamation breaks the silence.