Influence is the power to change or affect someone else. Although most people think of influences as a good thing, the word can also be used in a negative connotation. Authors often influence each other when one reads the work of another. Sometimes, after reading a specific novel, the reader’s writing style and vocabulary will become enriched and more advanced as a result. Additionally, some authors read novels that manage to leave such a deep impression that it compels them to expand further into the topic. The writing of other authors will influence another individual author to establish their own ideas and opinions, whether it be in concurrence or in dissent. For example, the poem “Sympathy”, written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, influenced …show more content…
The main character of the novel is Melinda Sordino. Melinda is a sarcastic teenager who has just arrived at Merryweather High. Melinda is basically a social reject within her school because she called the police when she was at a summer party with her friends. The only class Melinda feels comfortable around is Mr. Freeman’s. Melinda wants nothing to do with popularity and spends most of her time in a janitor’s closet. Soon, Melinda reveals that Andy Evans raped her at the summer party. That incident is what caused the cage of emotions around Melinda. She feels hopelessness and despair because she felt as if she couldn't talk to anyone. The first step in breaking the cage was admitting to herself that Andy had raped her. She had to realize it wasn't her fault. Melinda manages to do this but she would never fully recover without talking to other people about it. When Melinda makes an attempt to tell Rachel, she is accused of being a liar. Rachel says “I can't believe you. You’re jealous. You're a twisted little freak and you're jealous that I'm popular and I'm going to the prom and so you lie to me like this. And you sent me that note, didn't you? You are so sick” (Anderson 184). Most readers would think that this made Melinda backtrack and doubt herself. However, Melinda had learned how to be persistent and she made it her mission to make people believe her. By the end of the novel, nearly everyone believes Melinda’s story and supports her. Andy Evans is seen as a freak and a dangerous guy. Melinda’s cage is nearly completely broken. The event that finally released Melinda from her prison was when Andy tried to rape her again in the locker room. Melinda didn't let the past repeat itself and stood up to him by holding up a piece of glass up to his neck. Andy relents. Melinda finishes her school year with her darkest secret exposed and her friends regained. The author’s message is that no matter how