Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Imagine yourself being a young teenage girl who’s been raped and now suffers from it. In the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, tells a story about freshman, Melinda who experiences high school in a way nobody should experience it. The summer before Melinda’s before freshman year, she had experienced an assault at a party. Ever since that situation had occurred, Melinda’s suffers being bullied at school, has problems at school, and struggles with issues at home. Nobody at school will talk to Melinda including her “friend” since forever, Rachel Bruin. Worse, almost everyone bullies her. On Monday, at the homecoming school pep rally, Melinda was getting bullied physically and emotionally. Melinda explains “ The girl behind me jams

In the second marking period during school, Melinda’s mom gets notified that her grades are lagging. Melinda says “ My guidance counselor calls Mom at the store to pave the way for my report card” (Anderson 86). After a few weeks of school Melinda’s still wasn’t feeling well, and because of her not feeling well this began to impact grade. Melinda’s still wasn’t feeling well, and because of her not feeling well this began to impact grades. Melinda’s grades dropped drastically. She hid out around the school and wasn’t participating in class. Melinda tried to do an extra half assignment but because she didn’t talk she has to do more, to her it just isn’t worth it. Melinda’s mom expects her grades to increase but we doubt it would happen. The principal, Melinda, and Melinda’s parents had a meeting about Melinda not being apart of class. The staff had found out Melinda’s absence to class and wants her to talk (Anderson P 113). Since Melinda has gotten caught for not being a participate for school the school principal, Melinda and her parents had a meeting it was decided that she would get put into Merryweather In School Suspension a.k.a “MISS”. This was her consequence for skipping school. Melinda had to sign a contract regarding things that she isn’t supposed to do and what would happen if she did these things and Mr.neck was there to make sure that she

This causes issues within her life. First marking period, at home, Melinda’s mother is yelling at her about her grades. Melinda’s mom started to get agitated and says “ Cut the crap. She knows what's up. The interim reports came today. Listen to me, young lady. I'm only going to say this once. You get those grades up or your name is mud. Hear me? Get them up!" (Anderson 35). Melinda’s grades at school are starting to have an impact on what goes on at home Melinda’s mother begins to be fed up. Although her mother doesn’t know what’s been going on with her own daughter. This is sad because Melinda should be able to talk to her mother about what’s going on. Nobody will understand her or her pain that she’s going through or how she’s feeling. This will continue to be a issue she asks for help. Going into the fourth marking period at home, Melinda’s mother insulted Melinda about being sick. Melinda was “sick” her mother agreed with her because she actually spoke (Anderson P 163). Melinda’s family didn’t talk but she was offended by it. She would’ve thought that her mother would be happy to hear her daughter talking instead she said “you’re talking, you must be sick” Melinda’s mother must’ve knew that what she said was wrong and then said that she was happy to hear her voice. It’s bad when your parents think you’re sick because you do something you don’t normally do. Melinda is