Revised Speak Reading Response

Jacob Sutton 808

 

SPEAK

 

By Laurie Halse Anderson

 

 

 

Laurie Halse Andersons's Speak, 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 because of the horrible event that took place at this party.  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.  Most of Melinda's trauma affects her ability to communicate with those close to her.

 

One example of this is that 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 soon gains weight and wears baggy clothes to school because this raping has really affected her. 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.  

 

Non Fiction Reading Response on Saudi Arabia’s youths

Jacob Sutton 808

 

                   Non Fiction Reading Response on Saudi Arabia’s youths

 

            “Growing up Saudi” by Karen Elliott House is an article about how young people in Saudi Arabia are questioning authority and Government on how they treat youth people.  Some cities in Saudi Arabia let the youth do anything they want.  The youth play really loud music that disrupts all the people in the neighborhood, and they pick fights a lot.  The cops and chiefs in the neighborhood are on the scene but never dare to try and stop their wrong-doing.  But in some more conservative towns and cities, teens and regular young people are prohibited from many things that adults aren’t.  They are not allowed to see movies, play music, and other things that the youth should be allowed to do.  They don’t even get to know they are going to get married until the parents arrange it for them. 

            Of course every society has youth who resent authority, reject rules and test out their independence.  But since Saudi Arabia is such an important country in the Middle East, This is very important to many other countries.

            According to the article, a 17 year old says that he would definitely allow girls and boys to go to school together, but his town doesn’t allow that.  Saudi parents usually push their sons and daughters toward their studies but the youth wants something more than that.  The article just says that the teens just want freedom.  They are at an age that is more energetic than their parents’ age.  They want to do more than just focus on their studies; they want a job and do something with their lives that does not involve their parents towering over them about it.  This is why they are increasingly asking questions and in general questioning the authorities and the Government.