Speak shows how survival takes a lot of mental strength when Melinda is bullied. She is being bullied by the Basketball Pole at lunch and: “Thwap! A lump of potatoes and gravy hits me square in the center of my chest. All conversation stops as the entire lunchroom gawks, my face burning in their retinas,” (Anderson 8). Being bullied takes a lot of mental strength. Melinda survives by pushing through the mean comments and attacks on her. Melinda being bullied isn't the only way survival through mental strength is shown. …show more content…
Heather and Melinda are sitting by themselves at lunch when Heather says: “‘You are the most depressed person I've ever met and, and excuse me for saying this, but you are no fun to be around and I think you need professional help,’” (Anderson 105). Losing friends is a part of life, but it's also very hard. Mental strength is needed to move on from this. Not only does losing a friend demonstrate survival, being bothered by a rapist does, too.
Being bothered by a rapist takes a lot of mental strength. IT is the person who raped her, Andy Evans. Melinda is walking down the hallway and: “I see IT in the hallway. IT goes to Merryweather. IT is walking with Aubrey Cheerleader. IT is my nightmare and I can't wake up. IT sees me. IT smiles and winks. Good things my lips are stitched together or I'd throw up,” (Anderson 45-46). She doesn't want anything to do with him and even the smallest gesture makes her feel sick. It would take a lot of mental strength to survive being bothered by a