SPEAK
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Laurie Halse Andersons's Speak, published more than ten years ago and banned from schools and libraries all over the country, tells the story of Melinda who has been a victim of "date rape" (in this case, she was raped while at a party with friends). Melinda begins her first day of high school as an outcast. No one will talk to her since she called the cops during a big party over the summer. None of the kids at school know why Melinda called the cops, nor has Melinda spoken to anyone about it, including her classmates, teachers or her parents. Part of Melinda's trauma effects her ability to communicate with those close to her.
Melinda becomes nearly unable to speak, in a sense, she is almost mute. "It's easier not to say anything," she thinks. "Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say." Melinda seems to want to hurt and hide herself as she bites her lips until they are scarred and bleeding. She gains weight and wears baggy clothes. She doesn't want to look in the mirror. Melinda is unable to move on because she blames herself for what happened that night.
Though the theme of date rape is very disturbing since the victim knew the person that ultimately hurt them, Anderson's book is hopeful and educational. When Melinda finally interacts with her attacker, though it's very scary, it is also uplifting. In the end, Melinda realizes that she has to speak up, not only for herself but for all the other girls in her school.
I liked how you did a great job on summarizing on how the main character, Melinda, became mute because of the tragedy she went through. I also liked how you included textual evidence based on the thoughts going on in Melinda's mind, since it portrayed how she was feeling inside. Also, the thought that you put of your own in the conclusion, of how this book is hopeful, was interesting to me because I haven't read this book and saw far about the tragedy you describe doesn't make me feel it is a hopeful book, but since you think it is hopeful, makes me really interested in this book of how might it become a hopeful story. Overall I think you did a good job on focusing on the tragedy Melinda went through and also of what thoughts she had, when she was mute.
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