Speak Reading Response

“I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t.” –Audre Lorde

            In the book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino is introduced as an introverted and quiet girl who is starting her first year in high school with no friends. She is also carrying the burden of a big secret and is afraid to speak up about it. The summer before, Melinda was raped at a party by Andy Evans, a boy at her school. Melinda started off ashamed and afraid of what people would think if she spoke up, but she was able to grow by the end when she started to accept what had happened to her. She was ashamed of being involved in something that she ultimately had no control over, which raises the question of “is this fair?”

            It was unfair that Melinda was so afraid of speaking out about her rape because it wasn’t her fault. In the book it says, “It’s easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.” Melinda felt that nobody would care if she spoke out about the rape. This was a problem because she had no motivation to help her talk. She was afraid that people would judge her and make her feel worse than she already did. It’s hard to talk about something when you are afraid that nobody will support you. Since Melinda didn’t speak out at first, the fear and guilt were almost taking over her life. In the book it says, “When people don’t express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” Her emotions were keeping her from doing what she wanted to do and being who she wanted to be. Because Andy Evans raped her and she was so afraid to tell anyone, everything was bottled up inside. But the actions that caused these emotions were unwanted and unjust.

            Melinda has to live in fear and horror because of another person’s actions, which is unfair. Being a victim of rape caused her to be afraid and keep quiet which broke her down and made her feel weak. I predict that because she finally spoke out and became stronger by the end of the book, she will also be able to speak for other girls who are afraid and struggling for the same reasons. What happened to Melinda that summer was unfair because she was a victim of something that she couldn’t control and it made her live in fear. But worst of all, she was afraid to speak.