How does one change when their best friend, the one person that they can rely on, suddenly becomes withdrawn, depressed, and that kid who skips school? One answer can be seen in Rachel’s reaction in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. In this book the main character is Melinda who is raped by Andy Evans at a party. Melinda called the police on the party, but won’t tell anyone why. As a result, everyone hates Melinda, which doesn’t help her recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder. In the end, Melinda comes out with her secret (Andy Evans raping her), and misunderstandings are forgiven. Throughout these events we can see how Rachel’s identity changes from both internal and external factors such as how she felt betrayed at Kyle Rodger’s party,
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One great example of this is when Melinda sees Rachel in the bathroom and notices how Rachel has changed her clothes, grooming, and language to fit in with her new friends (Anderson 20). Rachel changes everything she is to fit in with this group. To fit in with multicultural club, Rachel also learns to speak and practise the cultures of other countries. This can be seen when Rachel is talking to one of her friends and Melinda notices that, “[Rachel is now experimenting with Islam. She wears a scarf on her head and some brown and red gauzy harem pants Her eyes are ringed with black eyeliner as thick as a crayon [. . .]. [Rachel and her friend] eat hummus and titter in French” (Anderson 128).Rachel has changed her whole lifestyle for the multicultural club. Finally, it is quite clear how much Rachel is willing to let multicultural club change her identity when she changes her name to Rachelle. When melinda is thinking about Rachel she narrates to the reader, “Edit that. Rachelle is with me in the bathroom. She has changed her name. Rachelle is reclaiming her European heritage [. . .]” (Anderson 20). A name is a huge part of a person’s identity, and to change that is to openly admit and show a new and changed …show more content…
In Speak, Rachel/Rachelle starts dating Andy, the boy who raped Melinda. Melinda decides to warn Rachel/Rachel, so Melinda tells her the truth about what happened that night at the party. Rachel/Rachelle responds in disbelief saying, “You’re [just] jealous that I’m popular [. . .]” (Anderson 184). This defensive reaction shows how Rachel/Rachelle feels about Andy; how she feels that he is a great person. This is, of course, not true, as Rachel learns when she goes to prom with him. At prom, Andy gets physical with Rachel/Rachelle, touching her, kissing her, even grinding against her (Anderson 191). After this, Rachel/Rachelle sees Andy for who he really is and that Melinda was right about him. This inspires a change of heart and more trust and understanding towards Melinda. Rachel/Rachelle also continues to hold this attitude against Andy. When she is walking down the hallway after prom, she won’t even look at Andy; Melinda narrates that “Andy is waiting for [Rachel, but she] won’t even look at him” (Anderson 192). Rachel/Rachelle’s change in attitude towards Andy Evans fuels a change in identity. It also makes Rachel/Rachelle see Melinda’s situation in a new light. Rachel/Rachelle’s view of Andy Evans is definitely a factor that changes her identity. it’s clear to see how many internal and external factors including feeling betrayed at Kyle Rodger’s party, her view of Andy Evans, and joining multicultural
One great example of this is when Melinda sees Rachel in the bathroom and notices how Rachel has changed her clothes, grooming, and language to fit in with her new friends (Anderson 20). Rachel changes everything she is to fit in with this group. To fit in with multicultural club, Rachel also learns to speak and practise the cultures of other countries. This can be seen when Rachel is talking to one of her friends and Melinda notices that, “[Rachel is now experimenting with Islam. She wears a scarf on her head and some brown and red gauzy harem pants Her eyes are ringed with black eyeliner as thick as a crayon [. . .]. [Rachel and her friend] eat hummus and titter in French” (Anderson 128).Rachel has changed her whole lifestyle for the multicultural club. Finally, it is quite clear how much Rachel is willing to let multicultural club change her identity when she changes her name to Rachelle. When melinda is thinking about Rachel she narrates to the reader, “Edit that. Rachelle is with me in the bathroom. She has changed her name. Rachelle is reclaiming her European heritage [. . .]” (Anderson 20). A name is a huge part of a person’s identity, and to change that is to openly admit and show a new and changed …show more content…
In Speak, Rachel/Rachelle starts dating Andy, the boy who raped Melinda. Melinda decides to warn Rachel/Rachel, so Melinda tells her the truth about what happened that night at the party. Rachel/Rachelle responds in disbelief saying, “You’re [just] jealous that I’m popular [. . .]” (Anderson 184). This defensive reaction shows how Rachel/Rachelle feels about Andy; how she feels that he is a great person. This is, of course, not true, as Rachel learns when she goes to prom with him. At prom, Andy gets physical with Rachel/Rachelle, touching her, kissing her, even grinding against her (Anderson 191). After this, Rachel/Rachelle sees Andy for who he really is and that Melinda was right about him. This inspires a change of heart and more trust and understanding towards Melinda. Rachel/Rachelle also continues to hold this attitude against Andy. When she is walking down the hallway after prom, she won’t even look at Andy; Melinda narrates that “Andy is waiting for [Rachel, but she] won’t even look at him” (Anderson 192). Rachel/Rachelle’s change in attitude towards Andy Evans fuels a change in identity. It also makes Rachel/Rachelle see Melinda’s situation in a new light. Rachel/Rachelle’s view of Andy Evans is definitely a factor that changes her identity. it’s clear to see how many internal and external factors including feeling betrayed at Kyle Rodger’s party, her view of Andy Evans, and joining multicultural