Speak by Laurie Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is about a girl named Melinda who is going through a rough time in her life. She is a social out cast and has no friends. She is hated by majority of her class. Melinda experiences insecurity because of events in the book where she relied on her friends.

Melinda told her friends what happened hoping for forgiveness and understanding. instead her friends pushed her away and thought that she was an attention seeker. she needed her friends to be there for comfort, not turn their backs and abandon her. her friends were clear that they didn't care nor believe she was raped.her friends made her feel even more unwanted, and think less of herself. she had already been ripped apart and then they tore her to shreds. The only reason her friend did not believe her is because they were in denial and thought she was jealous. This had a big affect on his low self esteem.

When Melinda takes down her mirror she is trying to erase the memory of her rape. When she looked in the mirror she saw her scabby lips which were a result of her rape. She was reminded of all her flaws and hurt. She doesn't want to be reminded of that night and looking is a constant reminder.

It doesn't help that Melinda doesn't have a close relationship to her parents. More than she needed her friends she needed her parents. Their relationship is simple. They notes to each other as a way of communicating. Melinda doesn't speak to her parents, and all they do is argue. She didn't tell her parents about the rape because, how could you tell your parents something so huge in your life , when you don't even tell them about what happens one day of your life. Melinda had know one that she could rely on when she really needed them the most.