Imagine having to listen to tapes of a girl who commited suicide just recently. Hearing her voice, not only brings confusion, but triggers memories. In the novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, a girl, Hannah Baker, purposefully overdoses on pills and creates seven double-sided cassette tapes with thirteen reasons behind her suicide. A fellow-student, Clay, receives the tapes tenth. With no recollection of why he should be on them, he continues. Throughout his narrations of Hannah’s tapes, many character traits can be determined. Clay Jensen could be considered independent, self-reproached, and virtuous. Clay is a very introverted and independent person. He did not depend on others and could come to realize his mistakes. For …show more content…
Although he did not feel as if he belonged on the tapes when he first received them, he did feel an exponential guilt rise as he listened. For instance, Clay says, “And that’s why, right at this moment, I feel so much hate. Toward myself. I deserve to be on this list… I might have told Hannah that someone cared. And Hannah might still be alive.” He started to blame himself for Hannah’s death. Also in the text it says, “I left her alone in that room. The only person who might’ve been able to reach out and save her from herself.” He felt that if he would of turned around and walked back to Hannah, she possibly could still be alive. He not only blames himself for the fact that he left her, but because he ignored all of the signs. Cutting her hair, giving things away, personality changes, etc. If only, he were to of noticed, he could’ve helped her. However he did not and he holds accountable not only the others, but very much so himself, responsible. As a result of his guilt and blame, Clay can be considered self-reproached.
In addition to being an independent, anguished character, Clay also contributes to a virtuous characteristic. He was known to be a “goody-goody” and never did anything wrong. According to Hannah there was not a single bad rumor about Clay Jensen. In Cassette 5, Side A, she says, “How long could I go on hearing nothing but good things about Clay Jensen?" He not only, had