Authors Note: This next essay that I will be writing is how the main character reflects on the quote "I wonder How long for anyone to notice me if I would take if I just stopped talking".
One day can change peoples lives in a snap. Whether It's changing schools, getting in an accident, or even being a you tube sensation over night. In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson Melinda has a couple of weeks left until she starts a new chapter in her life, high school. But her life changes dramatically in one night when she lies to her parents about going to a party with her friends when she knows drinking is involved. At the party she got wasted, and a boy took advantage of her. She kept trying to tell him no but he covered her mouth and raped her. Melinda's last resort was to call the police and they ended up busting the party but not helping her, because she did not SPEAK up. Melinda reflects off this quote in numerous ways.
To begin with, Melinda's inability to speak up challenges her through the book. Why this is a challenge for her is because she just thought she was drunk and that everything was her fault. Melinda states, "I wonder how long it would take for anyone to notice me if I just stopped talking". She said this quote because she was experiencing deep depression, with a side of guilt thinking the rape was her fault while feeling betrayed by the people she once loved. This quote signifies that she has feelings of suicide, and she wondered "Would people care that I would be dead?" When she finally gets the courage to speak out to warn a friend who is dating the boy who raped her, she is put down by the friend. This action could have caused to not speak out, but one day she was grabbing her stuff in an old janitors closet; and he tried to rape her again. Melinda speaks out by scream, and by telling him no! Luckily to her rescue the Lacrosse team heard Melinda and came to her aid. Melinda overcame her fear about speaking out and soon became a well known hero and regained her old life back.
In conclusion, Teens across the nation have problems speaking out, this causes a various amount of pains like Melinda. Teens also have to realize not everything is their fault and they still have a chance. I believe that all people could learn from her story and realize what you are now, could be better tomorrow, and I love this story because it is very inspiring.
What page is quote in exactly?
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