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MELINDA SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

MELINDA SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
“I think it’s some kind of
psychiatric disorder when you
have more than one personality
in your head. That’s what it feels
like when I walk home. The two
Melinda’s fight every step of the
way” (Anderson 132).
Because Melinda doesn't have
the other basic needs, she
doesn't have survival. This is
why she gets depressed. She
doesn't know how to survive
anymore.
"I open up a paper clip and scratch it
across the inside of my left wrist.. If a
suicide attempt is a cry, then what is this?
A whimper, a peep?" (Anderson, 87)
Melina didn't feel like anyone
would care or believe that she
was raped. Therefore, she didn't
speak up about it. She felt like no
one would be there for her.
"Mother: 'She's jerking us around to get
attention.’ Me: [inside my head] Would you
listen? Would you believe me? Fat chance.”
(Anderson, 144)
it didn't matter what happened to her
All of Melinda's old friends stop talking
to her. They all had a group where they
belonged except her.
"IT" or Andy Evans has left a
mark of himself with Melinda.
This mark is what made her
who she is throughout the
novel, reserved, lost, and
frightened.
"It feels like the Prince of
Darkness has swept his cloak
over the table. The lights dim. I
shiver." (Anderson, 90)
"I am a deer frozen in the
headlights... Is he going to hurt
me?... Why can't I scream, say
something, do anything? Why
am I so afraid?" (Anderson,
161)
Melinda knew she had a
reputation because she called
the cops that night. People
didn't like her afterwards.
"'Aren't you the girl who called the cops at Kyle
Rodger’s party at the end of the summer?’”
(Anderson, 27)
“‘My brother got arrested at that party… I can’t
believe you did that. A--hole.’” (Anderson, 28)
"...and here I am in the middle of a hostile crowd
that hates me for what I had to do." (Anderson,
28)
"‘I can't believe you. You're jealous.
You're a twisted little freak and you're
jealous that I'm popular and I'm going
to the prom and so you lie to me like
this. And you sent me that note, didn't
you? You are so sick’" (Anderson 184).
Melinda's parent never show they care
about her. The only way she could
communicate them was through sticky
notes.
Melinda was best friends with Rachel.
Until Melinda called the police the night
of the party. They stopped talking after
this.
Melinda #1 stopped Melinda from
having fun
When Melinda blocked out any
friendship, she blocked out fun even
more. You have more fun with your
friends
" ' You do remember fun, don't
you?' Nope. I don't do parties.
No thanks" (Anderson, 131)
Melinda avoided having any fun. She didn't
want to repeat what had happened that night
FREEDOM
Seeing freedom you may think,
"Melinda had her freedom." She did
physically, but not mentally.
"Sometimes the chains that prevent us
from being free are more mental than
physical." -anonymous
Melinda #1 and #2 were like her split self in
a battle between each other. There is no
freedom in this state since there is always
unrest.
Being raped held her back. She had mental
chains on.
chains like these... but not literally
DEPRESSION
"It is easier not to say anything. Shut
your trap, button your lip, can it. All
that crap you hear on TV about
communication and expressing feelings
is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear
what you have to say." (Anderson 9)
DEPRESSION = :(
NO FREEDOM
DUE TO SOCIAL
WALLS
Why is this related to FUN? With
depression, it is hard to experience
actual fun.
Why is this related to FREEDOM?
Due to the fact that she was raped,
she had some mental walls in her
life.
....
Melinda's life is not being lived in a good way.
She may be alive, but she is not thriving. It is not
healthy to live the way she was.
THE CONNECTION
All of the 5 basic needs are connected in a
way, but they all come back to survival.
53
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