Speak 1
What does this reveal about her emotions in the a
ftermath of the assault? In what ways has the assault affected her? • Speak depicts two sexual assaults: the rape Melinda experiences and the attempted assault by Andy which Melinda defends herself from. How do these two situations differ? What significance do the two scenes have for the novel and for the experience of the reader? • Writing on the bathroom wall reveals that many girls have felt endangered by the same boy, Andy, who raped Melinda. For Melinda, this is a confirmation that she is not alone in her experience of assault. But Andy himself seems oblivious to the fact that his actions are unacceptable. How is this possible? What might have shaped Andy, and how can behaviour like his be stopped? The school environment • Melinda describes astutely and often with caustic humour the social games that take place at her school, which frequently place very high value on belonging to a group. What are the different ways in which Heather and Melinda think about groups and the need to belong? What might lie behind their different ways of thinking and acting? • Melinda gives nicknames (often slightly sarcastic ones) to many of her teachers and fellow students. What does that say about Melinda, and how does it affect our experience of the book? • What are Melinda’s relationships with her teachers like? Which teachers are most important for her, and why? • For Melinda, the different rooms, auditoriums, and other spaces at her school have different emotional charges. Where does she feel safe and where does she feel especially vulnerable – and what does that say about her? Mental illness • Melinda is battling with the memories of her rape on her own. What strategies does she use to cope with her pain and anxiety? Which of those strategies might be good for her, and which are more likely to counteract the healing process? • There are many signs that Melinda is suffering from depression as a result of being sexually assaulted. What signs do the people around her notice, and as readers, what signs do we see in her thoughts? Which people around Melinda seem to understand that something is wrong, and what is their reaction? Are there things they could have done differently? If so, what things, and what could they have done instead?
