Kristen Stewart

When people experience a traumatic event like rape many don’t speak up. They convince themselves that nothing good can come from vocalizing what happened to them. In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino, the main character, is a victim of rape who doesn’t speak up about what happened which leads her to become withdrawn, self - alienated, and dead inside. However as time passes she begins to show signs of healing, empowerment, and coming back to life. As Melinda begins high…

As Michael Morpurgo once said, “Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it’s through writing, drama, or art is so important in giving young people a sense of self worth.” In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino feels that her voice is taken away after being raped by Andy Evans which he is referred to as IT, and Andy Beast. She goes into high school as a young teen, depressed and silenced. Melinda grows stronger throughout her…

Escaping the Grips of One’s Emotional Abyss “Every 107 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted.” (RAINN). Sadly, the statistic holds true for Melinda Sordino, a pessimistic ninth grader from the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Through Melinda’s battle with depression and acceptance, the author of Speak demonstrates a universal truth that breaking free from emotional bondage requires one to speak up. Melinda’s journey, from depression to self-confidence, allows her to reconnect…

Time and time again people experience the rough or the fortunate fate of one small incident altering their lives. For the unlucky few who have their lives changed negatively, it is always hard. Weather it is winning a lottery ticket or not getting a job that was worked so hard for, it changes the course of a person’s plans. The classic novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne shows a prime example of how one’s mistake, set in the seventeenth century, alters a woman 's life dramatically.…

“Speak” Central Idea Essay Most of society has probably gone through a time that they will never forget. This time could be exciting, cheerful, or just traumatic. However, times like those make us who we are which is strengthening. In “Speak”, Laurie Halse Anderson takes us on an adventure with a dynamic character named Melinda. Melinda was like any other teenager, until a traumatic experience turns her into a judgemental and isolated human being. Throughout the book, the reader follows…

There are many hidden things in the book Speak such as pop culture references,and allusions to other books. The one thing in Speak that is most often shown is the symbols that repeatedly show up in the book. Four symbols are hidden in the book such as trees, mirrors, lips, and closets.But lips in Speak have the greatest impact to the story. Melinda's lips represent her emotions, communication,and expressing freedom of speech throughout the story and melinda's life. Laurie Halse Anderson uses…

In order to fully understand a serial killer and murderer, one must be able to examine them personally. We must be able to look into their past and see what shaped them into who they are as a person. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were a married couple that committed heinous crimes together. They would kidnap girls before raping them, and often times, killing them together. Paul was a serial rapist before meeting Karla. However, none of his victims were found dead before her. He was the rapist,…

Have you ever felt the pressures of trying to fit in with the ever-changing trends and fads within your peer group? These pressures can be difficult enough to handle just within a small group of friends or a community, let alone the magnifying glass of the entire country and world. Many celebrities and professional athletes are subject to these scenarios every day of their lives by having their every move watched and every word listened to by millions. The pressures felt by these men and…

“I don’t like books, they’re all fact, no heart” -Stephen Colbert. As ironic as this quote may seem it is another example of Stephen Colbert’s comedic style, thick satire. “I Am America (And So Can You!)” is another fantastic presentation of Colbert’s conservative capitalist character already shown on the Colbert Report. The book addresses issues that Americans face as adults and current issues facing the nation, plus a note to the future. All these issues are taken on with humor and satire…

1. Dyer is literally doing what his title expresses and is attempting to defend disco from those who accuse it as a capitalist form of music. He also lists the positive aspects of disco, not only the music but also the culture surrounding it. Through the ‘debunking’ of capitalism and almost humanizing and describing the characteristics of disco that relate it to other forms of music, including those that oppose the nature of disco, and to human experience, including queer movements, he makes his…