No Talking

Andrew Clements

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-14

Chapters 15-20

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Literary Devices

Interpersonal Conflict

Clements uses conflict between the characters to show how disagreements can be resolved through creative cooperation. Dave and Lynsey start out by hating each other and launching a competition, but the need to manage and protect their game causes them to work together and learn to appreciate each other. Students, all eager for their team to win the game, defy their teachers with three-word answers that ironically give their instructors enough quiet to appreciate the students’ efforts. Soon some of the teachers actively support the kids’ word game. Clements focus on conflict within relationships to emphasize his theme of finding common ground and to explore power dynamics in the school setting.

The teachers who don’t like the contest join forces with Principal Hiatt, who opposes the game but fails to stop it. Her attempt to defeat Dave forces her to see the contest in a new, more positive light, and she reverses course and joins forces with the boy to complete the game by including all grade levels at the school. Thus, every conflict is used by the author to show how the energies of discord can be converted into cooperation.

Plot Action

The book’s story follows a classic plot trajectory, rising slowly and steadily to a climax, then quickly resolving into a conclusive ending in which all conflicts are resolved. The story begins with a humorous bit of action—Dave coughing to avoid speaking—plus a spirited challenge between him and Lynsey which serves as the inciting incident of the novel. The rising action unfolds over the next several chapters as tensions increase over whether the no-talking game should be suppressed. The tension reaches a climax when Principal Hiatt confronts Dave, forcing him to issue a surprise pushback speech which undermines the principal’s authority and seems to guarantee the boys will lose the contest. Mrs. Hiatt and Dave reach an unexpected agreement that resolves the conflict, and the story of the contest resolves happily as well: The game ends in a tie, students release their tension by talking energetically once again, and the chief protagonists settle into a newfound friendship. Such a traditional plot structure is common in children’s literature, as the clear narrative arc highlights the emotional message of the book and emphasizes character development through simplified storytelling.

Plot Symmetry and Bookends

No Talking contains a lot of symmetric elements, some of which open and close the plot as literary “bookends” to the story. Dave has two outbursts, one near the beginning of the tale, when he insults Lynsey for being a blabbermouth, and one near the end, when he scolds Mrs. Hiatt for being a bully. Lynsey and Dave have matching personalities: Both are talkative but intelligent students who begin the story each resenting the other for qualities they display themselves, and both end the story by being quietly respectful toward each other.

The story introduces fifth-grade lunchtime as incredibly noisy, and, despite the quiet lunch breaks during the game, it ends once again with a lunch period of chaotic clamor. The plot starts with Dave’s inspired, if daring, idea to be silent and ends with Lynsey’s inspired, if daring, idea to make the no-talking game a tie. The tale introduces arrogant, judgmental characters among both students and staff and ends with them more humbled and accepting. Early on, the author introduces Gandhi’s concept of peace through silence and mentions it again near the book’s finale. As well, early in the story the students begin their contest at lunch by speaking “Not one word” (42) and, at the end of the contest, Lynsey and Dave sit smiling at each other at lunch while uttering “Not one word” (146).