The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action Summary and Analysis

The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action is a talk Audre Lorde gave at the Modern Language Association's "Lesbian and Literature Panel" in 1977. Lorde begins this speech by talking about her benign breast tumor surgery and how it forced her to examine herself more closely. She says that life experience has taught her that important issues are always better discussed than left unexpressed.

Silence, to Lorde, can be damaging. Silence allows injustices to go unheard and fears to remain powerful. Contemplating her own mortality gave Lorde perspective over her fears and made her realize that silence was an ineffective means of protecting oneself from one's fears.

Looking back on her life, Lorde realizes that she regrets only the times when she was silent, not those in...