ДИСКУРС СЕКРЕТІВ ДЖЕЙН ЧАПМАН В РОМАНІ «ВЕЛИКА МАЛЕНЬКА БРЕХНЯ» Л. МОРІАРТІ

Abstract

This article examined the discourse of secrets surrounding the character Jane
Chapman in Liane Moriarty’s novel Big Little Lies. The study revealed how hidden
truths intertwine with personal trauma and affect Jane herself—her behavior,
worldview, and relationships with others. Jane is portrayed as someone who carries
the burden of a silenced past. Her secrets not only isolate her from those around her
but also serve as a driving mechanism for many events in the novel. The discourse of
secrets was interpreted as a multilayered structure, combining linguistic techniques,
psychological defenses, and social reactions. Jane’s linguistic strategies—avoiding
direct communication, frequent pauses, evasive expressions, and metaphors—act as a
kind of barrier that hides her pain while simultaneously screaming about it between
the lines. Special attention was given to how Jane’s secrets influence the plot. Her

silence is not merely an authorial device but reflects her self-perception. The gradual
revelation of Jane’s secrets brings forward themes of stigmatization, prejudice, and
the crucial role of female solidarity in the novel. Secrets here are not merely
"something that is hidden," but a deep mechanism through which Liane Moriarty
explores issues of trust, morality, and self-discovery. Linguistic analysis helped to
better uncover Jane’s speech characteristics: hints, half-silences, and cautious
formulations. These are not just signs of fear but her way of protecting herself from a
world that once hurt her deeply. The study also explored how Jane’s secrets function
within a social context. Observing her interactions with other characters highlights
the importance of support and solidarity in a society that is quicker to judge than to
understand. Ultimately, when Jane’s secrets come to light, they become true turning
points for her character and for the entire narrative. The article examines how the
discourse of secrets is constructed in Liane Moriarty's novel "Big Little Lies",
drawing on Jane Chapman's ideas about secrets as an important element of social
interaction. Particular attention is paid to how secrets are manifested in the
characters' speech, what linguistic devices help to hide them or, conversely, hint at
them.