Overcoming Trauma In Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

A person experiences trauma when they are faced with an event or incident that is traumatic or dangerous and results in long-term negative effects. In the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda, a victim of sexual assault, attempts to overcome the trauma she has experienced. Melinda has adapted both positive and negative coping mechanisms to cope with the hardships she has experienced. Melinda uses healthy and unhealthy coping strategies to help heal the trauma she faced. Firstly, one of Melinda's negative coping mechanisms is cutting her wrist. Melinda states, "I open up a paper clip and scratch it across the insides of my left wrist. Pitiful. If a suicide attempt is a cry for help. Then what is this? A whimper a peep? I draw a little

Melinda’s parents advise her to get extra help from her teachers; she then says, "My parents commanded me to stay after school everyday for extra help from my teachers. I agreed to stay after school. I hang out in my refurbished closet. It is shaping up nicely" (Anderson 50). Melinda isolates herself when her parents instruct her to get extra help from her teachers by hiding in her refurbished closet, preferring to hide rather than get help. Additionally, Melinda uses negative ways to cope by doing self-harm and isolating herself. Melinda also uses positive mechanisms to cope with her trauma by expressing herself through art and standing up for herself. Melinda states, "For a solid week, ever since the pep rally, I’ve been painting watercolors of trees that have been hit by lightning” (Anderson 30). This demonstrates how Melinda uses the arts to creatively express her emotions. She is also showing Mr. Freeman how she feels, which is a positive gesture. Additionally, it is helpful since it enables Melinda to start the process of healing. Another positive behaviour that Melinda has adapted is being able to stand up for