Laura's Journal Entry #1

This book has a very influential effect on me. In a way, although "Speak" is written in first person, and I am therefore aware of all of Melinda's thoughts, there is still a great deal of mystery about her. Furthermore, as the book progresses, Melinda speaks aloud less and less, meaning her thoughts pile up without coming out. Because of this, after only reading the first quarter of this book, I am already intrigued by Melinda's personality. Although her character seems so fiery and witty to the reader, when she rarely speaks aloud none of it shows. For example, a popular quote among our literature circle, "Gym should be illegal. It's humiliating." It's a shame her true character and brightness ends up going to waste like such.

This is an amazing quote that
 serves the purpose of introducing the setting,
as well as Melinda's character!

Melinda is very different from myself, and I think from most teenagers. In a way, reading about her confuses me because the way she thinks is so somber, and different from the way most main characters are portrayed. Melinda is clearly alone and lonesome, however I do not feel a whole lot of sympathy for her. In fact, although you should not have to stray from who you are to find true friends, Melinda needs to try harder. It aggravates me because she is constantly complaining about having no friends, but if she wants to build relationships with people, she needs to put in some effort.

Because of the setting's importance in the first quarter of the novel, its something that should be addressed. Merryweather High is a secondary school in Syracuse, New York, where the action takes place in September. What's important to realize is that the setting is extremely cliché, judgmental, and stereotyped (as clearly demonstrated in the quotes "The First Ten Lies They Tell You In High School". Meaning bullying, cliques, and depression are all extremely common and I'm sure their impact on Melinda will continue to grow.