In "Human Voices" by Penelope Fitzgerald, Annie is depicted as a character who grapples with her thoughts and decisions regarding her interactions with Mr. Brooks. Despite the necessity of encountering him daily, she chooses silence as her resolution. This choice reflects her awareness that unspoken feelings can lead to intense internal contemplation, revealing a conflicting desire to remain unseen and maintain her dignity.

Annie's determination to keep her feelings hidden is rooted in her belief that Mr. Brooks does not need to be aware of her inner turmoil. The act of visualizing him without actual contact allows her to feel more alive, suggesting that her imagination serves as a refuge from the complexities of reality. Through this, Fitzgerald explores themes of communication, solitude, and the internal battles that accompany unexpressed emotions.