1. In Mr. Neck’s Social Studies class, they have a debate on whether or not America should have closed her borders in 1900. Do you think the tone of the lesson was, “Racist, intolerant, and xenophobic” just as David did?
Yes, I strongly feel the take Mr. Neck took on the subject was extremely rude and intolerant. Mr. Neck is obviously not for immigration. He goes on about how newly-American citizens don’t deserve to live on their hard earned land and steal jobs from his son. However, that’s so much the issue of the matter as when he starts to punish students who are righteously standing up for what they believe in (pro-immigration), and rewarding those who take “his side.” That personally disgusts me that he’d take advantage of his power that way.
2.
Do you think the conflict
between Melinda’s parents has an effect on her behavior?
Yes, I definitely think all the arguing between Mel’s parents has an impact on the way she acts. She often talks about how with her dad, its best to not say anything. This probably contributed to the fact she no longer speaks to pretty well anybody. Furthermore, Melinda’s parents often neglect her and her needs because they are so absorbed in their arguments. This negligence probably makes her feel unloved and alone, which has an effect on her negative outlook on life.
3.
Do Melinda’s parents treat each
other as equals? Give an example from the text to support your answer.
No, Melinda’s father is the dominant partner in the relationship, and shows complete disrespect towards Mel’s hard-working mother. For example, during thanksgiving, Melinda’s mom cooks a proper, traditional meal. Meanwhile, her dad is complaining about the cooking and once Mel’s mom is gone for a work emergency, her dad gets takes over, uses an axe to chop the turkey, and ruins it, also ruining the holidays for Melinda’s mom who’s trying to keep the family together.
4.
Melinda is not a very likeable girl in the eyes of her peers and parents. Despite Melinda's negative outlook on life, what's something you admire about her character.
Because the novel is in a first person point of view, meaning we know what Melinda is thinking, feeling, and etcetera. To other characters in the novel, Melinda probably seems like an extremely boring, freaky-girl. Meanwhile, we hear all her quirky, clever, funny comments like, “Never has a bird been tortured so much to provide such a lousy dinner.” Melinda can be very witty, even charming, which I love about her. It’s a shame her parents and peers don't see this bright side of her.
Because the novel is in a first person point of view, meaning we know what Melinda is thinking, feeling, and etcetera. To other characters in the novel, Melinda probably seems like an extremely boring, freaky-girl. Meanwhile, we hear all her quirky, clever, funny comments like, “Never has a bird been tortured so much to provide such a lousy dinner.” Melinda can be very witty, even charming, which I love about her. It’s a shame her parents and peers don't see this bright side of her.
5.
Melinda uses the bones from her
thanksgiving turkey to make a sculpture in art class. She jabs knives and forks
into it and sets a doll head inside its body. How does this symbolise the
conflict in Melinda’s life?
This work of art represents pain. The bones in which the doll is trapped in could easily symbolise how Melinda keeps everything inside, bottled up, while the sharp utensils are all the things hurting her, such as her “big secret,” her lonesomeness, her bad grades, her family problems, and etcetera.
This work of art represents pain. The bones in which the doll is trapped in could easily symbolise how Melinda keeps everything inside, bottled up, while the sharp utensils are all the things hurting her, such as her “big secret,” her lonesomeness, her bad grades, her family problems, and etcetera.
6.
Why do you think the author
included a paragraph where Melinda looked back on her childhood memory of when
she went apple picking with her family?
First of all, the background information helps develop a character, and I’m sure pretty most readers are able to connect to this experience. Most of all, I think the author included it to show us that this is not the “real” Melinda, and she was not always depressed or alone. It helps us to understand that this dark phase Melinda was caused by something, she wasn’t born this way.
First of all, the background information helps develop a character, and I’m sure pretty most readers are able to connect to this experience. Most of all, I think the author included it to show us that this is not the “real” Melinda, and she was not always depressed or alone. It helps us to understand that this dark phase Melinda was caused by something, she wasn’t born this way.
7.
Do you think Melinda’s mother
and father are fit to be good parents?
At this point in the novel, I’m not convinced Mel’s parents are fit to take care of her. First of all, on Boxing Day, her mom makes her work at the store even though she’s underage. We see the same kind of thing happen when she’s sealing envelopes at her dad’s office, while he talks with his friends and gets mad at her for “how many envelopes she bled on.”
At this point in the novel, I’m not convinced Mel’s parents are fit to take care of her. First of all, on Boxing Day, her mom makes her work at the store even though she’s underage. We see the same kind of thing happen when she’s sealing envelopes at her dad’s office, while he talks with his friends and gets mad at her for “how many envelopes she bled on.”
8.
Give an example of a situation in this section of the novel, that contributes to an overall idea or theme of the novel.
When Melinda is asked to help coach the boys basketball team in turn for extra credit (an A), after having showcased her free-throw ability, she decides to not care and to show up. This situation is just one of many where Melinda doesn’t put any effort into anything. She does not care about her grades, and she has so much talent, but she’s not living up to her full potential. This really aggravates me because once again, Mel shouldn’t be complaining about her grades nor her lack of friendships if she’s not trying to get anywhere.
When Melinda is asked to help coach the boys basketball team in turn for extra credit (an A), after having showcased her free-throw ability, she decides to not care and to show up. This situation is just one of many where Melinda doesn’t put any effort into anything. She does not care about her grades, and she has so much talent, but she’s not living up to her full potential. This really aggravates me because once again, Mel shouldn’t be complaining about her grades nor her lack of friendships if she’s not trying to get anywhere.
9.
Heather is clearly not a good
friend to Melinda and always puts herself first. Why do you think Melinda, the
girl that doesn’t care, puts up with it?
If feel that even though Melinda puts on the “freaky girl” face and acts like she can take things, just like everyone, she wants to be liked and not alone. I also thing Melinda feels pressured to stay friends with Heather because she can’t say no. Heather is great at pulling her into things, and using her, which again, shows Heather’s true, selfish character.
If feel that even though Melinda puts on the “freaky girl” face and acts like she can take things, just like everyone, she wants to be liked and not alone. I also thing Melinda feels pressured to stay friends with Heather because she can’t say no. Heather is great at pulling her into things, and using her, which again, shows Heather’s true, selfish character.
10.
How do you feel about Heather' modeling job. Is it age appropriate?
During Heather's swimsuit shoot, the photographer is saying things like, “Sexy, very sexy, think beach, think boys.” Furthermore, afterwards she talks about losing weight and starts eating next to nothing. This disgusts me. I don’t think a fourteen year old girl should be told to look “sexy.” Furthermore, I think the pressure put on her to lose weight is just as bad. I wish I could say it’s just fiction, however the truth is, this is happening right now, everywhere. Society is constantly pushing women to be thin, gorgeous, and etcetera. I’m glad the author addressed this issue. Anderson has even further demonstrated the disrespect women are given through the way Mel's father treats her mother, and the testy relationship the have.
During Heather's swimsuit shoot, the photographer is saying things like, “Sexy, very sexy, think beach, think boys.” Furthermore, afterwards she talks about losing weight and starts eating next to nothing. This disgusts me. I don’t think a fourteen year old girl should be told to look “sexy.” Furthermore, I think the pressure put on her to lose weight is just as bad. I wish I could say it’s just fiction, however the truth is, this is happening right now, everywhere. Society is constantly pushing women to be thin, gorgeous, and etcetera. I’m glad the author addressed this issue. Anderson has even further demonstrated the disrespect women are given through the way Mel's father treats her mother, and the testy relationship the have.
I agree with you for number four. Melinda has a very funny and dark sense of humor, that I believe makes the novel better. When we are dealing with all of these harsh topics it is nice to have a little break and to just laugh. The humor in the novel is appropriately used as it not really a quirky light kind of humor but more of a dark and heavy sense of humor that ties in really nicely with the themes in the novel.
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