Book Analysis: Speak
The stereotypical high school dream consists of attending crazy parties and maintaining many strong friendships and relationships, all while getting passing grades. This lifestyle almost perfectly matches Melinda Sordino’s, the main character in the book Speak, by Laurie Anderson. However, Melinda’s high school dream quickly went into a downward spiral. While at a party, Melinda got drunk and was raped by a guy she thought she could trust. She reported the crime to the police, who showed up to the party and busted many kids. However her victimization did not end that night, Melinda was shamed, called names, and looked down upon at school. As a result of this Melinda completely shut down, she lost many friendships, her …show more content…
This decision eventually caused many hardships within her life. After the incident, Melinda completely shut down; she lost all hope and many relationships, and her academic performance was very poor. As stated in the book, ¨I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with. I am Outcast. There is no point looking for my ex- friends” (Anderson 4). From the start of the book, Melinda emphasized the struggles of her life, she believed she didn't fit in. As long as Melinda did not speak up about the incident, her life would continue to go down the same rough path. Next, as read, ¨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” (Anderson 5). Melinda could not find enough courage to tell anyone what actually happened. She didn’t know that once she revealed the truth, her life would be transformed for the better. Melinda wanted her story to be told, but she was speechless, she couldn’t find the right words to express her feelings. Additionally, as quoted, “I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid of this, these thoughts, whispers in mind. Did he rape my head, too?” (Anderson 165). Aside from all the struggles with her peers, the hardest battle Melinda had to …show more content…
Melinda began as a very happy girl who was content with life, but when she became a victim of rape, things went downhill. Melinda called the cops at the party where she was raped. The cops eventually showed up and busted the party, because of this Melinda’s peers were furious with her. No one knew the real reason she called the cops. They all jumped to the conclusion that Melinda betrayed them. Throughout the book Melinda completely developed in one major way, she found her voice. The stereotypical high school dream consists of attending crazy parties and maintaining many strong friendships and relationships, all while getting passing grades. This lifestyle almost perfectly matched Melinda’s, until she got raped, then her life was turned upside down. Melinda had to build up enough courage to reveal the truth and put her life back on track. Through the course of the book Melinda greatly developed as a character, which majorly contributed to the
The stereotypical high school dream consists of attending crazy parties and maintaining many strong friendships and relationships, all while getting passing grades. This lifestyle almost perfectly matches Melinda Sordino’s, the main character in the book Speak, by Laurie Anderson. However, Melinda’s high school dream quickly went into a downward spiral. While at a party, Melinda got drunk and was raped by a guy she thought she could trust. She reported the crime to the police, who showed up to the party and busted many kids. However her victimization did not end that night, Melinda was shamed, called names, and looked down upon at school. As a result of this Melinda completely shut down, she lost many friendships, her …show more content…
This decision eventually caused many hardships within her life. After the incident, Melinda completely shut down; she lost all hope and many relationships, and her academic performance was very poor. As stated in the book, ¨I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with. I am Outcast. There is no point looking for my ex- friends” (Anderson 4). From the start of the book, Melinda emphasized the struggles of her life, she believed she didn't fit in. As long as Melinda did not speak up about the incident, her life would continue to go down the same rough path. Next, as read, ¨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” (Anderson 5). Melinda could not find enough courage to tell anyone what actually happened. She didn’t know that once she revealed the truth, her life would be transformed for the better. Melinda wanted her story to be told, but she was speechless, she couldn’t find the right words to express her feelings. Additionally, as quoted, “I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid of this, these thoughts, whispers in mind. Did he rape my head, too?” (Anderson 165). Aside from all the struggles with her peers, the hardest battle Melinda had to …show more content…
Melinda began as a very happy girl who was content with life, but when she became a victim of rape, things went downhill. Melinda called the cops at the party where she was raped. The cops eventually showed up and busted the party, because of this Melinda’s peers were furious with her. No one knew the real reason she called the cops. They all jumped to the conclusion that Melinda betrayed them. Throughout the book Melinda completely developed in one major way, she found her voice. The stereotypical high school dream consists of attending crazy parties and maintaining many strong friendships and relationships, all while getting passing grades. This lifestyle almost perfectly matched Melinda’s, until she got raped, then her life was turned upside down. Melinda had to build up enough courage to reveal the truth and put her life back on track. Through the course of the book Melinda greatly developed as a character, which majorly contributed to the