Commentary On Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Yasra Alsaudi

Ms.Voccio

English 10H/ 3

23 March 2017

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson dialectical journal

theme/ literary device quotes commentary isolation As Melinda is on the bus she thinks to herself, “I close my eyes, this is what i’ve been dreading. As we leave the last stop, i am the only person sitting alone”(11).

Melinda Sordino has just started her freshman year in Merryweather high school. She takes the bus in the morning and notices that everyone is paired up to sit with someone on the bus except for her which tells us a little bit about her character. She seems like she’s known by people but they don’t like her because they bully her on the bus. She doesn’t bother to introduce herself to anyone and she likes to keep a distance.

Melinda doesn’t know the exact reason why they ended their friendship with Melinda, but they definitely have a great impact in Melinda’s life because they were friends since they were little kids.

Foreshadowing/ hyperbole

As Rachel and her friends make laugh at Melinda, melinda share her past relationships with Rachel, she thinks, “If there is anyone in the entire galaxy i am dying to tell what happened, it’s Rachel. My throat burns”(14).

Something in the past has happened during the summer when Melinda stopped being friends with Rachel that caused their friendship to break apart. Melinda is exaggerating to tell Rachel what happened, which remains unclear, however, it could lead us knowing what caused their friendship to be torn apart. depression As Melinda was being confronted by Mr. Neck in the cafeteria, she thinks, “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

She tries to run away from the embarrassment by leaving school, but gets caught by Mr.Neck. Mr. Neck is Melinda's history teacher that thinks Melinda has horrible behavior. This quote show a little about Melinda’s personality and how she doesn't have the courage to speak out and say what on her mind or what’s bothering her, instead, she keeps her thoughts to herself. conflict As Melinda was being bullied during the pep rally, she thinks, "I have worked so hard to forget every second of that stupid party, and here I am in the middle of a hostile crowd that hates me for what I had to do" (54).

A random students taps Melinda on the shoulder and asks if she’s the one who called the cops at the party hosted by Kyle Rodger. She nods people were making her feel guilty and horrible for what she did. The reason why she called the cops still remains a mystery but this explains why Melinda is isolated, and why Rachel stopped being friends with Melinda. whatever happened at the party traumatized her and haunts Melinda everyday. depression/ repetition

As Melinda was crying, she explains, “The salt from my tears feels good when it stings my lips. I wash my face until there is nothing left of it, no eyes, no nose, no mouth. A slick