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Melinda's Silence: Character Analysis

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• Melinda 's silence is triggered by different causes. The tragic event of the summer scars her deeply. By being raped she feels something has been taken away from her, as would any rape victim. The silence helps her avoid the memories that will always haunt her. I believe she is afraid of people’s perceptions of the truth. Would they believe her or would they think it’s a desperate cry for attention? Accepting what has happened is more difficult than just pretending like it never happened. Her environment at home was also not as accepting as most. Melinda felt there was no point in telling her parents because she felt they wouldn 't trust her word. The lack of friends affected Melinda greatly throughout the book too. Her friends seemed to

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