Speak Journal Response To Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” was written by Joyce Carol Oates, published in 1966. In this short story, we are introduced to a 15 year old girl Connie. She is described to be very conceited, and she is always obsessing over her physical appearance. Her family life is perceived as very dysfunctional. Her mother is always comparing her to her older sister June, and Connie’s father is pretty much absent from her life. Because the lack of family support and guidance, Connie lies to her parents of her whereabouts, and she sneaks away to local hangouts. While being out, she unfortunately catches the eye of Arnold Friend. This man will erase Connie’s innosense and expose her to how cruel the world can actually be. Many literary

In the coming of age story “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses symbolism, conflict, and the third person to foreshadow fifteen-year-old Connie’s unfortunate, yet untimely fate. While one may think that the conflict stems from Connie’s promiscuity, it is clear to see her promiscuity is only a result to a much bigger conflict, her mother’s constant nagging and disapproval, alongside the lack of attention from her father. the author paints a vivid picture of what happens when a fifteen-year-old girl such as Connie goes elsewhere to find to find the love, attention, and approval that she lacks at home. All which is vital for her growth and wellbeing as a person.

This book was one that I had read years ago online. In the last few years the book became published and I got myself a copy. The author, Priscilla, was sixteen when she wrote this book and I suppose that this book became like a small inspiration to do something great like her by the time I’m sixteen. I’m still working on that goal. The book, True Beauty is about finding a place to belong in a dirtied society. The main character, Hana hates ugly things. She deems society and those who live in it to be trash. Hana is the daughter of a high class man and when it’s her eighteenth birthday, it’s the society’s custom for her to choose a slave. Hana doesn’t have an interest in owning a slave until she meets Sean, whom she saw had protected another

The major issue in the book “Speak” written by Laurie Halse Anderson is rape. Rape consist of so much more than the event itself, it consist of fear, loneliness, depression and all of the other emotions following the event. In today's day and age, rape culture is used in jokes, that makes it seem as if it is a normal thing that is inevitable when in reality is a problem that needs to be changed. It is estimated that 80%-90% of rapes are not reported to the police, this is because the victim is too scared and half of the time the situation is not dealt with correctly. A good example of a rape situation not being dealt with correctly is Brock Turner, a University man who raped a girl then got released

I will be comparing two of my favorite books that I have read. Deadline which I have recently read and 2 days that I read last year. Both books are nonfiction and share a lot of similarities and differences. I would personally recommend both of these book to lots of people.

Imagine a fourteen year old girl starting fresh into high school without anyone to help guide her through it, and worst of all you have been keeping a secret from everybody else for far too long. Melinda Sordino is a freshman in high school who is going through many difficult situations in her life. She was raped by a senior named Andy Evans who is now dating Melinda’s ex-best friend Rachel. Due to certain situations and circumstances, Rachel ended the friendship between her and Melinda. Melinda never got the chance to explain, Rachel just left her in the dust and continued on with her life. Melinda was really hurting inside, and it only made it worse having to do it by herself. At one point Melinda had a “friend” named Heather who helped

The novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a coming of age novel with a strong focus on adolescence and the problems commonly associate with it. Almost every reader can connect with the protagonist in the novel at some point, despite the unusual trauma she experiences at her age. She journeys through high school cliques, a loss of academic focus, the struggle with authority figures, sexuality, and humiliating teenage ritual. The story of Melinda Sordino is broadly applicable and her extraordinary circumstance highlight not just the social problems she experiences, but the internal conflict between her pre-pubescent self and her future adult self. Using themes from the novel I will explore the life of the protagonist, and how it relates to

Melinda overcame her troubles, emerging the hero of her school. “IT happened. There is no avoiding it, no forgetting. No running away, or flying, or burying, or hiding.” (Anderson, 367) This quote represents the fact that at the end of Speak, Melinda starts to come to terms with he rape. She had gone through all of these terrible things, not wanting to tell anyone for the secret fear that they won’t believe her, which eventually does happen. She goes through humiliation, self harm, being attacked and raped, yet she still manages to find a voice to tell the world that she, Melinda Sordino, was raped and she is ready to tell the world about it. Melinda acts extremely adult about her situation, eventually coming to terms with herself and everyone around her. Melinda let 's go. Okonkwo was immature about situation, eventually killing himself out of desperation and humiliation. “Afraid? I do not care what he does to you. I despise him and those who listen to him. I shall fight alone if I choose.” (Achebe, 157) This quote represents Okonkwo’s unwillingness to work with other people and realise that other people have opinions that matter. Throughout the book, Okonkwo is unmoving in what he thinks is best for him and his village. He is very hard in his ways, and in beliving that he should always act hard. He never shows compassion to his wives and

Laurie Halse employs the villain character, Andy Evens who causes the protagonist 's psychological anger. Andy evens is the senior in the high school who has a bad reputation as its believed hr forces girls to sleep with him. This character causes the destruction of Melinda and her transformation to isolated person after he had raped her in the summer party. Melinda refers to Andy by using the symbol of " IT". She describes him as her nightmare . Andy keeps harassing Melinda while she was hanging the poster of Martha 's canned food drive, he sneaks behind her and tells" fresh meat" in her ear. His smile makes Melinda panic and nervous. There is an image that describes Melinda as a rabbit who faces its predator . As when she meets Andy at the"

Melinda or refer to Mel numerous times in the book is about a teenage girl who just enters

If my reading can be described as a train journey, my station would be at the border of reading to learn, and reading for sheer pleasure. While reading Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, the subject matter was not “enjoyable,” but it was necessary, when you consider how important it is

Riley Wells, a thirteen year old girl, blond, blue eyed, tall ,and skinny came home from school one day so upset she ran up to her room without talking to her family, Her little brother, Johnny, was knocking on her door and heard Riley crying. Little Johnny went and got his mom to help Riley with whatever she was crying about. When her mom heard Riley crying she went in her room in a hurry and asked what was wrong. Riley and her mom were very close so Riley didn’t have a problem telling her. She began to say, some boy told her that her shoes were for someone pretty and weren’t meant for her. Her favorite sparkly heel that made her feel as if she was a princess and made her happy. This boy was telling her she was ugly and had no right to do

According to Sheila B. Anderson, author of the book Serving Older Teens, teenagers are “drawn to stark realities and gritty details” and have “an element of morbid curiosity.” In turn, this makes them “want to read about other teens who are in the midst of problems, whether those problems relate to relationships, death, homelessness, or any of the other social problems featured in young adult literature.” As themes such as drugs, alcohol, and relationships are a common part of teenage life, it is only natural that teens would want to read about people like them who are going through similar situations. These themes and ideas are prevalent in a specific genre of literature – young adult novels. Young adult novels often chronicle the lives of young people and the issues that they encounter, reflecting the same situations and sentiments that young-adult readers experience in their own lives.

She is an only child being raised by her single mother. Sara and her mother have a very healthy parent-teenager bond. At the beginning of her senior year in high school, Sarah’s mother is killed in a car accident. Sara now is sent to live with her estranged father in the ghettos of inner-city Chicago to finish her senior year. She is the only white student in the school. She befriends a fellow classmate, Derrick, an intelligent young African – American who is bound for medical school and his insightful sister. Together they share their love of dance, and become strong support systems for each other. Sarah begins to enter Derrick’s culture without loosing her sense of self. Derrick encourages Sarah to audition for Julliard and fulfill her

Where are you going where have you been written by Joyce Carol Oates. Depicts a girl named Connie who spends time with her friends at night at a plaza. Instead of shopping Connie and her friends decide to go across the highway towards a restaurant where older kids would gather. While at the restaurant Connie meets a boy and decides to stay at the restaurant to eat with him while her friends go to the movies. While Connie is returning back to the plaza to meet her friends she glances to the side to see a guy with black shaggy hair. He makes a few comments saying that he is going to get her. On a Sunday Connie decides to stay home while her family goes to a barbeque. While she listens to music on the radio she hears a car pulling up the driveway. She encounters the guy with black shaggy hair introducing himself as Arnold Friend. Throughout the conversation with Arnold, Connie starts to notice a few things about him and his features. This article is giving insight to individuals of putting themselves in Connie’s place and how to handle situations like hers.