Summary:
In these last few pages of the book Melinda transforms from the completely quite, antisocial girl to the mature and outspoken teenager. In particular, one of her lost long friends, Ivy, asks Melinda what has happened to her and Melinda bluntly reveals to Ivy that she was raped by Andy Evans and comes to find out Ivy was almost raped by Andy as well. The details are that Ivy went on a date with Andy to the movies and he tried touching her during previews. Furthermore, Melinda resumes family time; In fact, she watches an arborist chain saw the oak trees dead branches with her father and then stays with him for breakfast. In other words, Melinda has recuperated from her depression and decides to bloom as an individual. In addition, Melinda starts to ride her bike again and takes herself to a desolated area pass her school and Rachel's home where she can think about all that has happened. Melinda decides to transform her ways and begins to help around the house. Mrs.Sordino becomes impressed when she drives up at dinnertime and Melinda has raked the front lawn, mowed it, and even cleaned the kitchen as well as vacuumed it. Moreover, prom has passed and she finds out Rachel ditched Andy in the middle of a song. Andy was grinding against Rachel infuriating her and so she left him for her exchange-student buddies on the dance floor.While Melinda is taking off her posters from her closet walls at school, she encounters belligerent Andy Evans. Andy tells Melinda she has a big mouth and that all she is is jealous because she can't get a date; Andy then slams his body against Melinda grabbing her wrists so tight back that she feels her bones splintering. Melinda then imminently shrieks "NO" after he fist her in the lip. Since Melinda sensed the screaming wouldn't work, she slammed a block of wood against a glass mirror and held it into Andy's neck. She thought about killing him but just waits until she sees blood dripping down his chest. By this point the lacrosse team starts pounding on the door and when they see what has happened, run for help.
Quote:
"I follow the sound, pushing off the wall, pushing Andy Evans off-balance, stumbling into the broken sink... I said no..."(Anderson 194).
Reaction:
This quote clearly shows how much Melinda has changed from the beginning of the book. She no longer is bullied and speaks for herself. I was completely correct in assuming that Melinda would change by the end of the book. Halse Anderson had her be this weak and vulnerable teenager to then develop into the person she is now.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Why Would I Speak? 150-185
Summary:
The fourth marking term has just came into play. Melinda brings up her grades, passed her first Algebra test, amd has been going to most of her classes. She has a new Science Lab partner, David Petrakis, who has started looking into the senior class GPA's and college acceptances. Melinda is very disillusioned that her parents didn't celebrate Easter this year and reminisces on the old days when they would hide colored eggs all over the house. Melinda is preocuppied with Rachelle's obsession for Andy. All Rachelle talks and thinks is Andy but she doesn't truly know all he desires is to use her like he used Melinda. In addition, Melinda has grown an intense hatred for Mr. Freeman because he criticized her tree project; in fact, he proclaimed that it was unnatural, it didn't flow, and that it was boring. She then attempted to redo the tree and came to an agreement that if she were famous, her innovation would be really popular and would sell for a fortune. Furthermore, Melindas history teacher Mr.Neck offers an extra credit opportunity for those that are flunking the class. The assignment was to write a report on a Cultural Influence at the Turn of the Century. Melinda decides to write about the suffragettes and how women could not vote, own property, or allowed in numerous schools because she was one of the numerous students failing. She wrote the best report in her academic history and used books, magazines, articles, and even a videotape as sources. However, Melinda was not aware that to receive credit for her report, she had to deliver it orally and thus earned a D for not reciting. She comes to find out David, the boy with the lawyer qualities, has a crush on her and tries to console her when she tells him of her miserable mark. Melinda then begins to plan for a mental-health day where she can just stay home in pajamas, eat ice cream, and watch TrashTV. In the morning her mother takes her temperature, and surprisingly discovers Melinda has a fever. Melinda finally makes up with Heather, Heather apologizes and tells her how bold Melinda was for leaving the Marthas Club. The Marthas were forced to decorate the entire prom and Heather refused to put up with such pressure. Melinda feels overwhelmed to have friends back in her life and seems to have pulled out of her shell. At last, Melinda reveals to Rachel that her boyfriend Andy raped her at the summer party and that that was why she called the police.
Quote:
"I got my hopes up halfway through the conversation with Rachel- that was a mistake. It was like smelling the perfect Christmas feast and having the door slammed in your face, leaving you alone in the cold"( Anderson 185).
Reaction:
Melinda finally reveals why she called the cops at Rachel's summer party. However, the reaction she received was not what she expected. Rachel, the only girl she still confided in, shrieked that Melinda was lying and that Andy would never do anything of that sort to a girl. Halse Anderson reveals how sullen and dejected Melinda felt when Rachel stated that in this here quote. The imagery in these words really came about clearly. I could picture myself abandoned in the freezing cold on Christmas Day. On another note, this scene in the book is very special for many different reasons. Primarily, the scene is important, for Halse Anderson has been building up suspense and tension to get to the scene where Melinda Speaks. Anderson purposely has Melinda hide her secret from her friends to build the agony and sorrow she was feeling at the time. In particular, there were days when Melinda skipped classes, failed tests, and cried herself to sleep. She was no longer the same person. Overall, the lesson I learned from Melinda's case is that one cannot hide the truth, for we end up hurting ourselves. Melinda had no friends, deteoridated herself mentally, and thus lived in depression and solitude for a very long time.
The fourth marking term has just came into play. Melinda brings up her grades, passed her first Algebra test, amd has been going to most of her classes. She has a new Science Lab partner, David Petrakis, who has started looking into the senior class GPA's and college acceptances. Melinda is very disillusioned that her parents didn't celebrate Easter this year and reminisces on the old days when they would hide colored eggs all over the house. Melinda is preocuppied with Rachelle's obsession for Andy. All Rachelle talks and thinks is Andy but she doesn't truly know all he desires is to use her like he used Melinda. In addition, Melinda has grown an intense hatred for Mr. Freeman because he criticized her tree project; in fact, he proclaimed that it was unnatural, it didn't flow, and that it was boring. She then attempted to redo the tree and came to an agreement that if she were famous, her innovation would be really popular and would sell for a fortune. Furthermore, Melindas history teacher Mr.Neck offers an extra credit opportunity for those that are flunking the class. The assignment was to write a report on a Cultural Influence at the Turn of the Century. Melinda decides to write about the suffragettes and how women could not vote, own property, or allowed in numerous schools because she was one of the numerous students failing. She wrote the best report in her academic history and used books, magazines, articles, and even a videotape as sources. However, Melinda was not aware that to receive credit for her report, she had to deliver it orally and thus earned a D for not reciting. She comes to find out David, the boy with the lawyer qualities, has a crush on her and tries to console her when she tells him of her miserable mark. Melinda then begins to plan for a mental-health day where she can just stay home in pajamas, eat ice cream, and watch TrashTV. In the morning her mother takes her temperature, and surprisingly discovers Melinda has a fever. Melinda finally makes up with Heather, Heather apologizes and tells her how bold Melinda was for leaving the Marthas Club. The Marthas were forced to decorate the entire prom and Heather refused to put up with such pressure. Melinda feels overwhelmed to have friends back in her life and seems to have pulled out of her shell. At last, Melinda reveals to Rachel that her boyfriend Andy raped her at the summer party and that that was why she called the police.
Quote:
"I got my hopes up halfway through the conversation with Rachel- that was a mistake. It was like smelling the perfect Christmas feast and having the door slammed in your face, leaving you alone in the cold"( Anderson 185).
Reaction:
Melinda finally reveals why she called the cops at Rachel's summer party. However, the reaction she received was not what she expected. Rachel, the only girl she still confided in, shrieked that Melinda was lying and that Andy would never do anything of that sort to a girl. Halse Anderson reveals how sullen and dejected Melinda felt when Rachel stated that in this here quote. The imagery in these words really came about clearly. I could picture myself abandoned in the freezing cold on Christmas Day. On another note, this scene in the book is very special for many different reasons. Primarily, the scene is important, for Halse Anderson has been building up suspense and tension to get to the scene where Melinda Speaks. Anderson purposely has Melinda hide her secret from her friends to build the agony and sorrow she was feeling at the time. In particular, there were days when Melinda skipped classes, failed tests, and cried herself to sleep. She was no longer the same person. Overall, the lesson I learned from Melinda's case is that one cannot hide the truth, for we end up hurting ourselves. Melinda had no friends, deteoridated herself mentally, and thus lived in depression and solitude for a very long time.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Why Would I Speak? 100-150
In Speak the entire school has prepared for Winter Break. The students usually decide to throw all kinds of objects at the school office as a sign of rebellion. Melinda has just got into an immense dispute with Heather, for Heather believes Melinda is boring, depressed, and needs professional help. She then reveals they never were real friends and have nothing in common. In other words, Melinda has become even more vulnerable and at this point in the book, has no friends for the second time. Valentines Day has arrived and belated Melinda finds an envelope in her locker. She decides to put it off for a while and goes to class before she reads it. She assumes it was from the only nice guy in class,David, and profusely thanks him for the letter. When she actually opens the letter she discovers the friendship necklace she gave Heather for Christmas. Heather wants nothing to do with Melinda and turns against her imminently. Melinda felt deteriorated and begins to skip school. While skipping school she ran into a guy she considers the devil. In simpler words, according to contextual clues, he was most likely the boy who raped her last summer. Melinda freezes when she sees the predator and bolts away when he indifferently waves at her. In addition, Merry Weather teachers have also transformed according to Melinda. Melinda's one and only favorite teacher, Mr. Freeman, has stopped running class conversations and even forgets he has students in his class. Melinda ultimately discovers herself ostracized and detested by her entire school community. At lunch one day, Melinda oversees the Martha Club and Heather talking behind her back. All she could see was their lips moving and their fingers pointing towards her, for she was so excluded from the rest of the school that it would have been formidable to actually hear them. Not only has Melinda's friends and family noticed she has changed, but her school counselors have also. They compare Melinda to the Melinda from last year and conclude they are drastically different. This year, she is far from the Honor Roll and has had numerous absences. Moreover, in these few chapters of the book, Melinda reveals hows she was raped. In fact, she explains that she went off with her friend Rachel to a Senior party one summer night and had a few drinks; Since the party was really hot, she went outside into the woods for some fresh air where she encountered a "sweet" boy. He looked very nice Melinda stated and kissed him right away. He began to touch her and by the time Melinda wanted to stop him, it was to late. He covered her mouth while she shrieked for him to stop and this was the nightmare that generated Melinda's social, academic, and psychological downfall.
Quote:
"There is a sprinkling of losers like me scattered among the happy teenagers, prunes in the oatmeal of school. The others have the social power to sit with other losers. I'm the only one sitting alone..."(Anderson 128).
Reaction:
This quote I believe is very powerful, for here we have Melinda categorizing her own self as a loser. It isn't other students calling her insulting names, but instead her own self. She continues to believe she has no true value and that her past has determined her present and future. What caught most my attention was the imagery in these few sentences. I can right away picture prunes in an oatmeal and how different and miserable Melinda feels compared to the rest of her school. In other words, although we are half through the book, Melinda has not changed as a character and continues to be the dejected teenager with no friends, love, and attention. I think that from this point on, Melinda might change as a character and will start making friends and opening up to her family and school community because as we know this is a story and if the miserable situation occurred at the beginning, we can foresee a good ending. All in all, that is only an inference, let's see what really happens! Anderson might have Melinda continue in a gloom until the last few pages of the book to keep us at the edge of our seats and in suspense.
Quote:
"There is a sprinkling of losers like me scattered among the happy teenagers, prunes in the oatmeal of school. The others have the social power to sit with other losers. I'm the only one sitting alone..."(Anderson 128).
Reaction:
This quote I believe is very powerful, for here we have Melinda categorizing her own self as a loser. It isn't other students calling her insulting names, but instead her own self. She continues to believe she has no true value and that her past has determined her present and future. What caught most my attention was the imagery in these few sentences. I can right away picture prunes in an oatmeal and how different and miserable Melinda feels compared to the rest of her school. In other words, although we are half through the book, Melinda has not changed as a character and continues to be the dejected teenager with no friends, love, and attention. I think that from this point on, Melinda might change as a character and will start making friends and opening up to her family and school community because as we know this is a story and if the miserable situation occurred at the beginning, we can foresee a good ending. All in all, that is only an inference, let's see what really happens! Anderson might have Melinda continue in a gloom until the last few pages of the book to keep us at the edge of our seats and in suspense.
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