Summary Of Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Silence has a defeating presence, one that can both imprison and liberate. In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, finding one's voice is a huge struggle when the main character, Melinda, goes to a party over the summer and gets sexually assaulted. The story is described in a framework of four main “marking periods’’ as she starts her journey through her first year of high school as a 13 year old girl. At the start of the book (the first marking period), we soon learn that Melinda’s old friends now hate her and begin to get humiliated in various situations. A girl named Heather distracts Melinda from her old best friend Rachel by trying to include her in different clubs. Melinda takes offense to Rachel for not bothering to ask or figure

When the second marking period comes around, Melinda still shows no interest in speaking or expressing her emotions. Melinda’s parents get a call about her grades and Melinda takes action through self-harm. We find out that “IT” is Andy Evans. Melinda’s a slain assaulter. As the third marking period comes around “IT” continues to taunt Melinda, but she stays strong to ignore him. She is still fond of art, and Mr. Freeman gave her a book about Picasso to “cure” her imagination. Melinda struggles being lonely, not speaking to anyone until at lunch David Petrakis invites her over. Melinda ponders the idea, but declines. In the end, Melinda reveals she was attacked at the party but doesn’t say she was raped. In the fourth marking period, Melinda finally realizes she doesn’t have to stay silent anymore and when she goes to clear out her hiding place in the closet, “IT” approaches her but she finds strength to scream and then finally hold glass to his neck resulting in the lacrosse team finding Andy Evans as the narcissistic character. Ever since the harrowing incident at the end of summer party, Melinda begins her freshman year as a selective

Through her silence she shields herself from the pain and judgement that speaking up might bring. However, when the story progresses she realizes that silence can also be suffocating and isolating. “In our society women are often conditioned to bear their griefs, burdens, and fears in a legacy of silence.” (Between Voice and Voicelessness: Transcating Silence in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, pg.1). Women are often socialized to keep their emotions and fears to themselves without openly sharing them. This can create a pattern where women feel compelled to suffer through long-lasting effects on their wellbeing and the way they perceive the world. Melinda begins to understand the importance of speaking up and finding her voice, not only for herself but also for others who may be going through similar situations. Melinda is isolated from her peers by holding onto the burden of her secret. Melinda’s journey starts with acknowledging her truth. Through her art class, she finds her voice through her artwork. By putting her experiences onto canvas, she not only gives voice to her pain, but gains a sense of control over the truth. As Melinda embraces her truth, she transforms her understanding of healing. Melinda says “It is easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, do it”. This proves that Melinda feels the urge to not care anymore and to just stay