Written Explanation Of Individual Response To Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Written Explanation of Individual Response for Speak It is common in today’s world to feel ashamed of what has happened to you whether it is sexually or mentally. Many people turn to depression, self harm, or suicide because they are afraid to speak up about what has happened to them, feeling like no one will believe their story. This is how Melinda feels. The theme of the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is communication against silence. This is a key theme, as the book itself is called Speak. Melinda fails to speak out about her rape at the end of the previous summer. People hate her for calling the police at this party. Had they known of what happened that night, people might be treating her differently. If Melinda had communicated with people instead of staying silent about this problem, she could get the help that she needed. Eventually, Mel finds her voice in many things, such as art. By the end of the book, she is able to see that this incident wasn’t her fault. When Andy tries to repeat his actions, she is much stronger and is able to see that what he

Melinda may feel trapped figuratively in her own grave, buried with the weight of her secret. She feels like she is not able to communicate with anyone about what had happened. Melinda spends most of her time in the janitor’s closet, her grave. In here she paints, thinks about what happened to her, and wonders if it is her fault. Melinda, along with many other people, choose to keep their abuse to themselves, as they feel know one will believe them. This is how Melinda feels, as she thinks that people will think it is an excuse for calling the police the night of the party. The poem “Silence” by Thomas Hood relates to the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson because it shows how lonely Melinda feels under all of the stress of her