Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Speak

If something happened so horrendous, so unfathomable, would you Speak about it? In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the unimaginable happens to Melinda at the end of the year party. Melinda is sexually assaulted at the party. She calls the police to report the incident, but doesn’t speak because she is in a state of shock. As a result of this call, the party was ruined because her friends thought she reported the party to the police. Now Melinda, traumatized by this event becomes a selective mute and never tells anyone about what really happened to her. If speaking is the only way to solve the situation; why didn’t she speak?

Melinda once a happy, young, energetic girl turned into a depressed outcast over this horrific act that was thrust upon her. Another character is Rachel/Rachelle, Melinda’s ex-best friend. Rachel would have been the person that Melinda would have talked to if Rachel weren’t avoiding her. Rachel is a girl trying to fit in and climb the ladder of popularity; with this motive she also avoids Melinda so she won’t bring her social status down. One person who tries to be-friend her is the new girl at school named Heather. In the beginning of the year, Heather is trying to find her place within the social scene in high school. Throughout the year, she attempts to fit in with other groups; she eventually joins “The Martha’s” leaving Melinda behind. Andy Evans/IT is a senior at Melinda’s school and is the one that sexually assaults Melinda sending her in a downward spiral of agony and depression.

Depression, one of the worst conditions a person can endure. Experts report one out of every eight teens suffers from some type of depression. It can be very bad especially when it is preceded by a traumatizing event such as being sexually assaulted. Melinda knew her abuser. In fact experts say that 7 out of every 10 people who are sexually abused know their abuser. It is common for a teenager like Melinda to experience sexual abuse. Studies show that teenagers account for 51% of all reported sexual abuse cases.

When Melinda was sexually assaulted she tried to report it but when the police answered the phone she couldn’t speak because she was embarrassed and afraid. Melinda symbolizes the depressed and lost because she is upset about what happened at the party and doesn’t know what to do or who to tell. Heather symbolizes the selfish because all she cares about is what is in it for her. For example, when Heather needed help to get into the Martha’s she used Melinda’s artistic skills just to get in and soon afterwards told Melinda she wasn’t her friend anymore.

With no friends life can become very lonely and that’s exactly what happened to Melinda. Her loss of friends added to the depression caused by the sexual assault. One lesson that you could have learned in this book is the importance of communication. Talking to someone about what happens to you is important because it starts the healing process and they can direct you to the help you need. Melinda could have lessened the impact of, losing her friends, becoming depressed, being made fun of, by seeking help and talking to someone.

The definition of the word speak is to utter words or to articulate sounds with the ordinary voice. This is something that Melinda did not do when it was needed the most. Was Melinda afraid she might be punished for what happened? Speaking and finding help can be the difference in deciding your future for the better.




http://www.teensuicide.us/articles6.html
http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-abuse/sexual-abuse-stats.html

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