Speak The Book And The Action
Some people believe that silence is the best way to avoid a riot. If nothing is said then nothing bad can happen. One may say something that can offend someone without intending it. Moreover, a person might accidentally embarrass and shame himself by talking. To talk is to take a chance. However, the book Speak challenges this assumption. The book Speak asserts the importance of speaking up and the consequences of living in secrecy.
Melinda's reluctance to speak up about her encounter at the end of the summer party affected her life greatly. Melinda's peers came to the conclusion that she had simply called the police with her only motive being to terminate the party. This misunderstanding led Melinda's classmates to dislike her and corrupted her social life. ÒMy brother got arrested at that party. He got fired because of the arrest. I canÕt believe you did that. Asshole.Ó, (28) one girl criticized Melinda at the school pep rally. Melinda couldn't even count on her friends after the incident at the party. If there is anyone in the entire galaxy I am dying to tell what really happened, itÕs Rachel. My throat burns. Her eyes meet mine for a second. I hate you, she mouths silently. (5) All of her friends, with the exception of Heather, began to turn away from her and all the friendships she had were disintegrating. Rachel and every other person IÕve known for nine years continue to ignore me. (14) Another outcome of Melinda's silence was her developing lack of self-esteem. Melinda's concealment of the truth had left her friendless. As a result, Melinda had lost respect for herself. She saw herself as insignificant. ÒWe are nobody,Ó (34) Melinda told Heather after her suggestion that they join the musical. Melinda's lack of self-esteem is also apparent in the ways she mistreats her body. For example, Melinda constantly picks the skin on her lips, bites her nails, causing her nail beds to bleed, and in one incident, cuts herself...
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