Spark

In Spark, Mina’s quiet temperament initially makes her feel invisible within her family and her society. However, through her bond with Pixit, she realizes that she doesn’t need a loud voice to command attention. Instead, she learns that courage and ingenuity will provide her with the tools to make others listen.

Early on, Mina’s affection for Pixit encourages her to push past her comfort zone and assert herself. When Pixit hatches and Mina’s family insists that Mina should not be bonded to a lightning beast, she tells them they are wrong. However, no one listens to her because she was speaking quietly. So, Mina repeats herself, speaking louder. The novel describes this scene, highlighting her nervousness: “She was shaking as she said it. She rarely ever tried to make them listen to her when they were all riled up like this. Usually she bided her time until they were ready to listen. But this was too important for waiting.” (30) It is difficult for Mina to command attention. This is evident in her trembling, which points to her distress. Furthermore, she notes that she typically prefers to wait things out, but the urgency of her bond with Pixit gives her the courage to speak up and insist on being heard.