Throughout The Lovely Bones and Speak, Alice Sebold and Jessica Sharzer respectively express the emotional journeys and limitations their characters face. Both authors explore this idea through the restriction of their protagonist; however, they both express their journeys with the help of a supporting character. Different approaches are used by the authors, Sebold tells the story of the past while Sharzer provides a daily diary of the emotional journey Melinda faces. Both use the conclusion of their texts to intensify the emotional journeys of their characters. Sharzer's ending provides a sense of relief and triumph, and Sebold creates a sense of happiness and acceptance. Aided by devices including symbolism, metaphors, narrative technique, stream of consciousness, editing techniques, and imagery, Sebold and Sharzer strive to demonstrate the emotional journeys their characters face. Both Sharzer and Sebold position their protagonists in situations where their ability to 'speak' is restricted; however, with the help of a supporting character, their journeys are given expression. Sharzer's protagonist, Melinda, literally cannot speak as she becomes mute from being raped; However, through her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, Melinda is challenged to use her pain and fear to learn how to survive. Franny's importance in The Lovely Bones is more obvious than that of Mr. Freeman because her role is as "guide" and "advisor" 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 cope with her death and rape. Franny's advice to Susie is: "Middle of paper... Sharzer's rotagonists' approach was less literal than Sebold's. Sharzer's ambiguous conclusion leaves the viewer uncertain as to whether Melinda has found peace as Melinda's story fades and the sounds of wind and birds become louder. Sharzer uses these sounds because 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 as well as the relief felt because everyone knows she was raped so that she can finally be at peace with herself. It’s 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 end of the emotional journey their characters face..