Thursday, April 12, 2012
Speak Analysis by Jonathan Solomon
Upon reading the novel Speak, I found that the main character is much like many incoming freshmen in high school. Very shy, very small, and very afraid. What added onto to her troubles was the fact that she had been raped the summer before school even started. Although most students at Los Osos cannot relate to that experience. Many of us have had negative life encounters that lead us to be just like Melinda in Speak. Whether it be family trouble, trouble with friends, or just personal problems, the author made it very clear that she wanted to relate to many troubled teenagers in the world. The novel tells us that no matter what happens, we hve to power through the struggles. Melinda found one outlet from the world, and it was art. We too have had to find that one place that we are comfortable and it leads us to finding ourselves and being comfortable with who we are. In the end of the novel, Melinda became more content with life because she faced her problems and overcame them. Just like Melinda did, we can overcome all of our conflicts also. All Melinda had to do was "Speak".
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I think that you are completely right, Jonathan. Although our struggles may not be as severe as Melinda's, we all have to learn to overcome certain things in different ways. As we grow up I think we find it easier to speak out and allow people to help us, but it definitely takes time.
ReplyDelete-Secada C.
I agree with you. But it truly is a process to let people in. We learn though.
Delete-Jonathan S.
I agree with you 100%. Most people deal with their problems easier when they have somethung to help them not focus on their problems. For me is poetry. Like secada mentioned, as we grow up it will only become easier for us to "Speak" and find the help we need.
ReplyDelete-jessica whitfield
When I read this novel, I was thoroughly impressed. It taught me that it was okay to have my problems, as long as I can find an outlet for them. I respect Melinda for painting all of her feelings away, and I ultimately love how she became her own individual through her experiences, even if they were negative.
ReplyDelete-A. Pruett
Jonathan S-
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this novel my freshman year and enjoyed it very much. How do you think the novel would have differed if Melinda's character was a teenaged boy? Would it change the story or would it add to the sincerity? Often times it seems as though for young men the pressures of high school is just as much if not more than those for young women especially when expressing deep, difficult emotions. Men are often taught from a young age to "act like a man" and never confine their masculinity. Although the general message of facing and overcoming obstacles of life would be the same, how do you think the journey of doing so would be different than that of a woman?
-Jasmine C
Jasmine brings up a good point about what if Melinda was a boy? After all, Melinda did get raped by IT (if my memory serves me correctly), and one of her constant internal struggles throughout her time in high school was that she had to look at her best friend, who was oblivious to this fact. If Melinda had been a boy, I imagine the situation would possibly cease to exist (although boys probably could get harassed by girls just as much as girls get harassed by boys)as well as not have that big of an issue with friendship. Women hold a very different view on friendship, and that's where drama comes from sometimes.
Delete-Kristen E.