Throughout The Lovely Bones and Speak Alice Sebold and Jessica Sharzer express the emotional journeys and boundaries faced by their characters, respectively. Both authors explore this idea through the restriction of their protagonist; however, both express their journeys with the help of a secondary character. The authors use different approaches, Sebold tells the story of the past while Sharzer provides a day-by-day diary of the emotional journey faced by Melinda. Both use the conclusion of their lyrics to heighten their characters' emotional journeys. Sharzer's ending provides a sense of relief and triumph, and Sebold creates a sense of happiness and acceptance. Aided by devices, particularly symbolism, metaphors, narrative technique, stream of consciousness, editing techniques and imagery, Sebold and Sharzer strive to demonstrate the emotional journeys faced by their characters. Both Sharzer and Sebold place their protagonists in situations where their ability to "speak" is limited; however, through the help of a secondary character, their journeys are expressed. Sharzer's protagonist, Melinda, literally cannot speak as she becomes mute because she was raped; however, through her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, Melinda is challenged to use her pain and fear to learn to survive. Franny's importance in The Lovely Bones is more evident than that of Mr Freeman as her role is that of "guide" and "adviser" to Susie. Susie's situation is very different from Melinda's. Susie's inability to speak is because she is dead. This causes a lot of emotional problems for Susie. Sebold uses Franny to provide support and advice to help Susie deal with her death and rape. The advice given by Franny to Susie is that 'When t... center of paper... protagonists, Sharzer's approach was less literal than Sebold's. Sharzer's ambiguous conclusion leaves the viewer uncertain as to whether Melinda has gained peace as Melinda's story fades and the noises of wind and birds grow louder. Sharzer uses these sounds as nature is associated with being at peace, combined with the image of a healthy tree. Sharzer's symbol shows that Melinda's emotional journey is intensified by the expression of her story and the relief she gets when everyone knows she was raped, so she is finally at peace with herself. This is a cathartic moment for both Melinda and the audience; Sharzer's timing allows viewers to feel the triumph and peace gained from the character's emotional release. Both Sharzer and Sebold provide a sense of relief and peace in the ending for the emotional journey their characters face.