BULLY, GOSSIP, DRAMA
Imagine yourself going to a school where you know everyone hates you but you don’t know why? Imagine yourself walking the hallways of your school and know that the people’s stares and whispers are about you. Who in this crowd is your real friend? Well, in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson presents this scene of the book. Anderson reveals the scene of a high school drama between teenagers who faces problems of discrimination, bullying, rape, and gossip.
Anderson especially demonstrates every description of each character in her novel that is similar to you or reminds you of someone you might know. It’s a book that encourages you to stand up and speak for your rights to survive a big high school drama. Are you interested yet? Speak is about teenagers lives that have a big high school drama going on.
The drama is generally directed to one of the main characters Melinda a ninth grade student barely entering high school and finds herself being bullied by the entire school more specifically the 900 new freshman. Melinda is to face the bullying going around her high school experience. The challenge is set for Melinda on her way to survive high school as she encounters bullying, suicidal feelings, and rape along her way. What happens to Melinda in the end of her first year in high school? You’ll need to find out on your own. . .
“Rachel is the way she is. She used to call herself my friend but now she hangs with the crowd who most hate me. Backstabber! I hope Aaron breaks her heat then she’ll surfer the pain I’m suffering now.” (101). The quote illustrated the anger of Melinda for the betrayal of her best friend Rachel. According to the book friendships change from middle school going onto high school when your friend becomes popular and you become an outsider. The quote challenges you to think how loyal you are as a friend and who are your real friends. A perspective to set how high school functions
Speak has many characters that represent each group you find in a high school. You have the jocks, the Marthas (The popular girls), art geeks, computer geeks, punkers, Goths, nerds, loners, along with other cliques. In the novel there’s only one s that stands out Melinda the girl that won’t speak, the girl that is hate it by many people, the girl with no friends, the girl who is living in silence and close to suicide thoughts. Melinda has a story thought the book, many in which she seems predictable but completely does the opposite Anderson brought out an excellent main character in the novel.
Although Melinda presents out a lot of drama and depressing scenes Melinda presents out courage as her way to find the light of hope. “Heather thought to be my friend or at least I thought to be her friend but what kind of friendship is it when she’s the one who is bossing me around? I decided to leave Heather and her little friends stay together and I. . . I will go off on my own to be independent (120) In this quote you find Melinda standing up for herself after being under controlled by someone other character that called to be leader and boss of Melinda. There are more scenes where you find Melinda standing up for herself but you find Melinda standing up for herself but you find those at the end of the book as conclusion to the novel.
I’m guessing that Anderson wrote this book to give to teens and to parents too so they can look at their teens and know when there’s something wrong.
Anderson is only trying to give advice throughout a novel that discuss about every real life situation in a teenagers life. Maybe this book is your little ray of light for help. I know this because Anderson expresses difficult situations among teenagers that challenge them. Parents can also learn something in the novel because they can obtain the thoughts of a teenager in Melinda’s diary and gain a teenager’s real life experience.
Comments
i cant imagin what thats
i cant imagin what thats like that hasnt happened to me usually a few people hate me but not the whole school i guess it must be pretty sad walking into school everyday and evryone teasing you evn tho u dont noe wat u did
teens find poppularity very important i mean come on who wouldnt you only get to live once mitgh as well be popular while you live but they still should treat everyone sort of equal to them
Great discussion!
Dear Ognila:
I really liked your post, “Bully, Gossip, Drama”, because it really goes in depth of teenagers and high school. I really enjoyed the fact that you added stories from Anderson’s book. To me it was interesting to know how high school drama affect different people. One sentence that stands out for me is: “Maybe this book is your little ray of light for help.” I think this is a generous statement because some teenagers that are getting bullied don’t know how to ask for help, and or are afraid. I’ve seen many teens going through gossiping, bulling, and drama, and its hard for them. I think as mature and helpful teenagers that are aware of whats going on is high school should help other teens in need. If writing helpful advise on a blog help teenagers grow out of their shell and stand up for themselves, then that is a mission that I would like to attain.
Another sentence that I enjoyed was: “ I’m guessing Anderson wrote this book to give to teens and parents too so they can look at their teens and know when there’s something wrong.” This stood out to me because I think that parents should have an in-look at teenage life in high school. At home a teenage student may not seem like they are being bullied or associated with drama, but in school it is aware that a teenager is having social problems.
Your post reminds me of something that I witnessed. One day in school I saw a big tough teenager pushing a kid that he didn’t know and only because he was in his way. Next thing, I hear a teachers voice. I was grateful that the teacher came to the kids rescue because I know that the big tough teen would have injured the kid. I was standing there not knowing what to do. I didn’t what to physically get involved. The big tough teenager would have hurt me too. If I were to do anything at that point, it would have to be to tell a teacher what was going on.
Thanks for writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because you seem very bright and willing to help this cause. Its people like us who can make a difference in the world. Please comment if you get the chance. Once again, thank you for you post and opinions.
Twisted
Hello,14biswaso.
I have not read the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, but this post made me want to.
Although, I have read the novel "Twisted" by the same author three times. I love that novel. It's defiantly my favorite.
I can understand what a teenager goes through, and what a teenager feels. Even though, I am still a teenager, I know how most teenagers feel, especially in high school.
High school is a time where you have to conform, and for those who haven't will receive a lot of crap for being themselves. Teens go through a lot of stress, drama, bullying, abuse, loneliness, sadness, loss, angst, harassment, feeling like you're alone, but, in reality, you're not. you need to reach out, and tell someone what you're going through, because if you don't, you'll end up doing something that you'll regret.