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Speech Sounds
Themes and Colors
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Speech Sounds, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Miscommunication and Violence
In the world of “Speech Sounds,” a mysterious illness has spread around the globe and left most of its survivors unable to speak, read, write, or understand spoken language. Because of this, society has broken down: the government and police no longer exist, armed bandits roam the streets sowing chaos, and when communicating by gesture fails—as it often does—violence erupts between civilians. By narrating a day in the life of Rye, a resident of…
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Language, Communication, and Peace
After a global illness robs most people of the ability to use language, the world is left in chaos: institutions have collapsed, minor miscommunications spiral into brawls, and people feel isolated and vulnerable, unable to connect to others. Everyone seems on edge and ready to use violence at the smallest sign of danger. However, some of the story’s characters are notably less violent: those who have maintained some language ability. Rye can still speak and…
read analysis of Language, Communication, and Peace
Self-Preservation, Protection, and Partnership
After losing all of her immediate family to a mysterious illness, Rye is left alone in a world of violence and chaos. From the beginning of the story, she leads an isolated existence, unable to communicate with those around her. Though she spends all of her time fighting for her life, she finds little value in it, plagued by a sense of purposelessness and loneliness. However, Rye finds solace in her relationships with Obsidian and…
read analysis of Self-Preservation, Protection, and Partnership
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