Escaping the Grips of One’s Emotional Abyss
“Every 107 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted.” (RAINN). Sadly, the statistic holds true for Melinda Sordino, a pessimistic ninth grader from the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Through Melinda’s battle with depression and acceptance, the author of Speak demonstrates a universal truth that breaking free from emotional bondage requires one to speak up. Melinda’s journey, from depression to self-confidence, allows her to reconnect emotionally to her old lifestyle. Melinda begins the process by immensely breaking down the communication barrier between characters within the novel. Then, by spending meaningful time with family, Melinda experiences true inclusion, showcasing literary …show more content…
After being raped months before her sophomore year, she feels the need to seclude herself from family, friends, and society at large. After suffering for weeks, Melinda knows she must take control of her life; nevertheless, her journey begins at a low point. Even after getting accustomed to grade nine, Melinda builds up a stronghold in her mind that she is looked down upon by her peers and omitted from all social events. The social anxiety becomes so immense that even when she attends a school assembly “[she] stand[s] in the center aisle of the auditorium, [like] a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special, looking for someone, anyone, to sit next to” (Anderson 5). Completely blindsided by her own agony and seclusion, Melinda rectifies in her own mind that she is crippled like wounded wildlife. The lack of self-esteem reflects her attitude and therefore she does not have any social interactions. However, in her mind, she is looking for the chance to sit beside, relate and reach out to another character. Even though the occasion is something as ordinary as a school assembly, she is mentally aware that she needs to interact with someone. The students in the auditorium allow her to entertain the idea of reaching out. Since the assembly, a few months of her treacherous grade nine life go by without a change. Melinda has already considered reaching out to someone, however, she completes her journey when speaking about the incident with Rachel. The character Rachel is significant in Melinda’s journey because Rachel is dating the boy who raped Melinda. Hence, Melinda accomplishes a complete social barrier breakdown by having the courage to share her experience so that Rachel will not have to go through it. Melinda decides to tell Rachel during study hall about the summer incident. When Rachel asks Melinda why the cops were called, Melinda tells her that“[she] [did not] call the cops to
“Every 107 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted.” (RAINN). Sadly, the statistic holds true for Melinda Sordino, a pessimistic ninth grader from the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Through Melinda’s battle with depression and acceptance, the author of Speak demonstrates a universal truth that breaking free from emotional bondage requires one to speak up. Melinda’s journey, from depression to self-confidence, allows her to reconnect emotionally to her old lifestyle. Melinda begins the process by immensely breaking down the communication barrier between characters within the novel. Then, by spending meaningful time with family, Melinda experiences true inclusion, showcasing literary …show more content…
After being raped months before her sophomore year, she feels the need to seclude herself from family, friends, and society at large. After suffering for weeks, Melinda knows she must take control of her life; nevertheless, her journey begins at a low point. Even after getting accustomed to grade nine, Melinda builds up a stronghold in her mind that she is looked down upon by her peers and omitted from all social events. The social anxiety becomes so immense that even when she attends a school assembly “[she] stand[s] in the center aisle of the auditorium, [like] a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special, looking for someone, anyone, to sit next to” (Anderson 5). Completely blindsided by her own agony and seclusion, Melinda rectifies in her own mind that she is crippled like wounded wildlife. The lack of self-esteem reflects her attitude and therefore she does not have any social interactions. However, in her mind, she is looking for the chance to sit beside, relate and reach out to another character. Even though the occasion is something as ordinary as a school assembly, she is mentally aware that she needs to interact with someone. The students in the auditorium allow her to entertain the idea of reaching out. Since the assembly, a few months of her treacherous grade nine life go by without a change. Melinda has already considered reaching out to someone, however, she completes her journey when speaking about the incident with Rachel. The character Rachel is significant in Melinda’s journey because Rachel is dating the boy who raped Melinda. Hence, Melinda accomplishes a complete social barrier breakdown by having the courage to share her experience so that Rachel will not have to go through it. Melinda decides to tell Rachel during study hall about the summer incident. When Rachel asks Melinda why the cops were called, Melinda tells her that“[she] [did not] call the cops to