Speak
By: Katelynn Becker- Michel
Summary of Speak:
Speak is written by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is a story including
the main character, Melinda, struggling with Depression. Something
bad happened to her over the summer at a party including alcohol,
Melinda drank about 3 beers, and was a little woozy. She began to
wander outside and get some fresh air, she was by herself, and the
other people at the party weren't really paying attention to her. All
of a sudden, an 18-year old senior guy came to talk to Melinda, he
had been drinking as well. He asked her to dance, and she
accepted, Melinda layed her head on his chest and began to
daydream. After a few minutes of dancing, the senior guy started
making out with Melinda. Before she knew it, things were going to
far, the guy was on top of her, and he had raped her. Melinda tried
yelling out, but the guy put his hand over her mouth muffling her
voice. When he is done, Melinda scurries to call the police because
she was so shaken up. Someone hears her call the police and tells
everyone, a few people got arrested that night. Before she knew it,
she was hated by everybody in the school, and she had no idea why.
Her calling the police caused her to lose all the friends she had. The
incident caused Melinda nothing but trouble. She soon became
depressed and started wearing dark clothes, she drifted herself
from her parents and everyone she knew. In the end of the story,
things finally start to look up to Melinda. I definitely recommend this
book for anyone to read.
<-- this tree
represents the tree that Melinda was drawing in her art
class. it symbolizes Melinda overcoming and growing out
of her depression as the tree began to appear more
creatively and happier.
source:
www.google.com
(images)
Character description & characteristics of characters
Melinda
Melinda is the main character in this story. I believe she is a round character. Melinda is a girl that is
dealing with depression because she has lost all of her friends and she has been emotionally
tormented from being raped. She is not close with her parents anymore, and thinks that no one cares
about her anymore. Melinda really likes to sleep, she tries every time she gets the chance.
Throughout the story, Melinda is really quiet and keeps to herself. When her grades in school slip
drastically, her parents have her try to talk to the counselor, but the whole time while in the office,
Melinda didn't say one word. Melinda eventually grew out of her depression and found her
happiness that she has been looking for.
Heather
Heather is new to Melinda's school since she had just moved there. Melinda starts to
talk to her, and they quickly become friends. Heather used Melinda to just have around
for someone to cry and complain to since no one usually talks to the new students.
Eventually, Heather starts treating Melinda nicely and starts to be there for her when
she finds out what happened to Melinda.
Andy
Andy is the big "Player" of the school. He hits on all the girls, and tries to make any move he can think of on
them. Andy is the one that raped Melinda at the party over the summer. Ever since then, he has been harassing
Melinda and almost stalking her sometimes. In the girl's bathroom there is writing about him on the stalls.
Stuff that says: "he's such a pig" "he is gross" "he tried to make a move on me in the movie theater, 5 minutes
into the movie, what a loser!"
The
Martha's
The Martha's are a clique of girls at Melinda's school that are the "do-gooders".
They do anything to volunteer, always trying to help out. At first, they may seem
nice, but they really aren't. They have to "induct" you into their group if you are
Martha material. If they don't like you, then they will ignore you and sometimes
even try to humiliate you. So, technically they aren't really good at all.
Rachel
Rachel or "Rachelle" is Melinda's ex-best friend. She used to be the one
Melinda went to with anything, and Rachel did the same. Throughout the
story, Melinda makes small-talk with Rachel trying to patch things up.
Even though Rachel is still angry with Melinda.
Mr.
Freeman
Mr. Freeman is the art teacher. He often helps Melinda find her inspiration and creativeness
that she has. Mr. Freeman often gives Melinda a little "push" on her tree assignment. Melinda's
only A is in his class, I think she secretly can be herself in that class.
text-to-text connection:
I connected the book, Speak to the book,
Tears of a Tiger. These two texts are
related because the main character in each
story deals with teen drinking, and
overcoming depression. In the book,
Speak, the main character overcomes her
depression. While in the book, Tears of a
Tiger, the main character really struggles
with his depression, resulting in himself
committing suicide.