Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Social Issue Identification and Discussion The major issue in the book “Speak” written by Laurie Halse Anderson is rape. Rape consist of so much more than the event itself, it consist of fear, loneliness, depression and all of the other emotions following the event. In today's day and age, rape culture is used in jokes, that makes it seem as if it is a normal thing that is inevitable when in reality is a problem that needs to be changed. It is estimated that 80%-90% of rapes are not reported to the police, this is because the victim is too scared and half of the time the situation is not dealt with correctly. A good example of a rape situation not being dealt with correctly is Brock Turner, a University man who raped a girl then got released

Rachel, Melinda's friend also normalizes Andy’s actions because she does not believe that he would ever do such a thing. Overall, the social issue of rape in this book perfectly mirrors rape and rape culture in real life.

Summary

The book ‘Speak’, written by Laurie Halse Anderson, is about a young girl's experience after being raped. While at a party the summer before her grade 9 year, Melinda, was approached by a very attractive soon to be senior who initially seemed very into her. When Melinda realized where things were going she tried to make it stop but it was too late, she watched him as he zipped his pants back up. In a moment of panic Melinda called the police but was unable to push any words out of her mouth. Another person at the party had noticed she had called the police and everyone, including Melinda, ran home. Freshman year was supposed to be a good year for Melinda but instead it was a lonely year where she spent her days being teased by and referring to herself as an outcast. It is almost as if the whole school is against her, while at a school pep rally two girls call her out as “the one who called the cops” at the end of the summer party, the

The first character that develops is Melinda’s friend, Rachel. In the very beginning of the novel Melinda introduces the readers to whom she refers to as her “ex- bestfriend”. Melinda then goes on to say, “If there is anyone in the entire galaxy I am dying to tell what really happened, it’s Rachel” (Anderson 5). This shows that there was a point in time where Rachel was a well trusted friend but since the party Rachel has been very distant which is why she is referred to as an ‘ex- bestfriend’. The immaturity of Rachel is shown when she mouths “I hate you” to Melinda and then continues to laugh with her new friends. After Melinda tells Rachel she has been raped Rachel expresses concern, showing that there is a possibility that the old Rachel is still present. This occurs until Melinda reveals her rapist, Rachel's senior fling, Andy Evans. Rachel then turns back into the girl that Melinda does not know, she accuses Melinda of lying and choses to go to the prom with Andy anyways. Later, Andy is ditched at the prom and in the end Rachel's true identity returns when she leaves a message asking for Melinda to call her. Overall, Rachel realized that being popular was not all that important but being there for true friends is. Her character redeveloped into the sweet, playful, freshman. The second, and most important character that developed throughout this story is