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.
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