Melinda’s surrounding of people creates her fears of speaking out about her rape case. At the beginning of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the freshmen are gathered up together in the auditorium, where she see’s her ex-best friend, Rachel, “This was the girl who suffered through Brownies with me... If there is anyone in the entire galaxy I am dying to tell what really happened, it’s Rachel. My throat burns. Her eyes meet mine for a second. “I hate you,” she mouths silently. She turns her back to me and laughs with her friends. I bite my lip. I am not going to think about it. It was ugly, but it’s over, and I’m not going to think about it. My lip bleeds a little. It tastes like metal. I need to sit down.” (5 Anderson). She is put under pressure
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When Melinda finally tries to warn about Andy to Rachel, Rachel accuses her, “ “Liar” She stumbles out of her chair and grabs her books off the table...You’re a twisted little freak and you’re jealous that I’m popular and I’m going to the prom and so you lie to me like this” (184 Anderson). Melinda fear of not being believed is confirmed. Melinda and Rachel had a past history of being best friends for about thirteen years however because Melinda called the police at the party, Rachel now do not believe her and knows hers one sided story. Rachel does not want to hear her side. Soon Rachel met this boy Andy Evens and after two weeks she believes that “they are meant to be together”. When Melinda warns her about Andy, she believes that Melinda is trying to sabotage the relationip. Rachel is still naive and believes that she is in control of her destinies and having Andy as a rapist is not part of that list. Its also clear that Melinda wants to tell her parents about the assault however it doesn’t help that her mother continually says she does not have time for Milinda’s poor behavior. Rachel and her parents, people who were once very close to her, seems to have no longer connection to listen and help her. They aren’t the only ones, in fact many people when hearing the assault from the victim don’t believe the person for whatever reason, and think they are just making up stories for attention. This can make the victim feel internalize to believe into society’s judgement of rape victims. This can lead them to contempt to shame and keep their stories to themselves. In many cases like Melinda’s, having the lack of communication and naivety about rape keeps their stories
When Melinda finally tries to warn about Andy to Rachel, Rachel accuses her, “ “Liar” She stumbles out of her chair and grabs her books off the table...You’re a twisted little freak and you’re jealous that I’m popular and I’m going to the prom and so you lie to me like this” (184 Anderson). Melinda fear of not being believed is confirmed. Melinda and Rachel had a past history of being best friends for about thirteen years however because Melinda called the police at the party, Rachel now do not believe her and knows hers one sided story. Rachel does not want to hear her side. Soon Rachel met this boy Andy Evens and after two weeks she believes that “they are meant to be together”. When Melinda warns her about Andy, she believes that Melinda is trying to sabotage the relationip. Rachel is still naive and believes that she is in control of her destinies and having Andy as a rapist is not part of that list. Its also clear that Melinda wants to tell her parents about the assault however it doesn’t help that her mother continually says she does not have time for Milinda’s poor behavior. Rachel and her parents, people who were once very close to her, seems to have no longer connection to listen and help her. They aren’t the only ones, in fact many people when hearing the assault from the victim don’t believe the person for whatever reason, and think they are just making up stories for attention. This can make the victim feel internalize to believe into society’s judgement of rape victims. This can lead them to contempt to shame and keep their stories to themselves. In many cases like Melinda’s, having the lack of communication and naivety about rape keeps their stories