“Liar”, “I hate you”, “Little Freak”. These are just a few names the main character; Melinda was called throughout the novel Speak. Teenagers Can be horrible, cruel people causing other people’s lives a great deal of stress and pain. Many teens struggle with depression, just like Melinda. In Laura Halse Anderson’s novel, Melinda goes on an emotional roller coaster. She goes from pessimistic to angry to sad to confident, all in one year. At the beginning of the book, Melinda is starting her grade nine year, where she is tormented and bullied by her previous friends. As the year progresses Melinda gets more and more depressed, starts failing classes and loses the only friend she had. Melinda continues to get tormented, now by the entire school.
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Melinda is heading home after a nap in her safe space; the janitors closet, when she passed the gym. The crowd roars in excitement at the basketball game that is taking place. Intrigued, Melinda turns to watch and for a minute, she feels like the grade 8 Melinda again. That didn't last for long though, as she thinks to herself, “This is my mistake, thinking I belong. I should have bolted for home immediately. But I don't. I hang around. I want to be a part of it all. (131) For a reader, Melinda's thoughts play a big part in Melinda's character development throughout Speak. Melinda does not talk very often but unlike everyone else at MerryWeather High, the reader gets to see what is going on in Melinda's mind. The section where she says “This is my mistake, thinking I belong.” shows the reader that even though Melinda is still having self doubt, there is a part of her that wants to fit in again. Also when Melinda says “I want to be a part of it all” The reader figures out Melinda is slowly healing and getting better. The word “want” in the phrase above really sticks out. Melinda “wants” friends again. Melinda “wants” to be liked. But the word “want “ tells the reader that there is something stopping Melinda from speaking up. Characters thoughts show the reader Melinda's voice when everyone else cannot hear it. It shows the reader what …show more content…
Overall, Melinda will be okay. She had a rough, depressing year but she turned out fine. She made a lot of positive character development and achieved lots throughout the course of the novel. Melinda’s story teaches the readers to never give up. Whether you're failing at school work, having trouble making friends or struggling with depression, never let anything stand in the way. If you want something, you have to speak up for it. At Melinda's lowest times, when all she wanted to do was disappear, she persevered and she turned out okay. This story teaches the reader that they should never give in to the sorrow or sadness, it teaches the reader that if they want change, they have to put in a little effort. Until Melinda stood up for herself and what she wanted, she kept getting more and more depressed. Things may look bad in the present the future will be happier if you don't give up. Speak up if you feel sad or scared or upset, just speak
Melinda is heading home after a nap in her safe space; the janitors closet, when she passed the gym. The crowd roars in excitement at the basketball game that is taking place. Intrigued, Melinda turns to watch and for a minute, she feels like the grade 8 Melinda again. That didn't last for long though, as she thinks to herself, “This is my mistake, thinking I belong. I should have bolted for home immediately. But I don't. I hang around. I want to be a part of it all. (131) For a reader, Melinda's thoughts play a big part in Melinda's character development throughout Speak. Melinda does not talk very often but unlike everyone else at MerryWeather High, the reader gets to see what is going on in Melinda's mind. The section where she says “This is my mistake, thinking I belong.” shows the reader that even though Melinda is still having self doubt, there is a part of her that wants to fit in again. Also when Melinda says “I want to be a part of it all” The reader figures out Melinda is slowly healing and getting better. The word “want” in the phrase above really sticks out. Melinda “wants” friends again. Melinda “wants” to be liked. But the word “want “ tells the reader that there is something stopping Melinda from speaking up. Characters thoughts show the reader Melinda's voice when everyone else cannot hear it. It shows the reader what …show more content…
Overall, Melinda will be okay. She had a rough, depressing year but she turned out fine. She made a lot of positive character development and achieved lots throughout the course of the novel. Melinda’s story teaches the readers to never give up. Whether you're failing at school work, having trouble making friends or struggling with depression, never let anything stand in the way. If you want something, you have to speak up for it. At Melinda's lowest times, when all she wanted to do was disappear, she persevered and she turned out okay. This story teaches the reader that they should never give in to the sorrow or sadness, it teaches the reader that if they want change, they have to put in a little effort. Until Melinda stood up for herself and what she wanted, she kept getting more and more depressed. Things may look bad in the present the future will be happier if you don't give up. Speak up if you feel sad or scared or upset, just speak