YAL // Speak - Study Guide
Who is IT? What effect does his appearance have on Melinda? What do you think has happened that makes Melinda react so intensely?
Andy Evans is IT. His appearance scares Melinda. I think Melinda had a very bad experience with IT and she is afraid that it will happen again.
What happens when Melinda talks to Rachel? Describe the interaction between Rachel and Melinda when Melinda tells her about the rape.
At first Rachel doesn't reply to Melinda trying to talk to her but when Melinda brings up Andy Evans, Rachel gets all happy and just starts talking all about him. At first Rachel seems truly concerned about Melinda until Melinda tells her it was Andy and then Rachel gets angry and accuses Melinda of lying about it.
How does Melinda compare her survival with the diseased tree?
By chopping off the dead branches, Melinda is comparing it in a way that if she could just remove the guilt inside her, she will be able to regrow like the tree.
Who is David Petrakis? What significance do you think he has in Melinda's life?
David Petrakis is Melinda's biology partner and he is very intelligent. David is also the student who stood up to Mr. Neck in social studies class for what he believes in. I think David will help Melinda become stronger and able to stand up for herself.
Explain what happens in the final confrontation between Melinda and Andy.
During the final confrontation, Melinda finally stands up to Andy and fights back and the others see that she was telling the truth.
Why does Heather come to Melinda's house? What is the result? Why is this significant?
Heather comes to Melinda's house to ask her to help decorate the prom. Melinda tells her no and it makes Heather gets upset with Melinda. This significant because Melinda is finally sticking up for herself.
Who is Heather? Identify her "plan" and explain Melinda's reaction.
Heather is the new girl from Ohio. Heather's "plan" is for her and Melinda to join five clubs, one for each day of school. Heather wants her and Melinda to create four goals, one for each marking period. Melinda's reactions to both of these are "The clubs are stupid." And her goal is "to go home and take a nap."
What does Heather tell Melinda when she dissolves their friendship? How does it affect Melinda?
Heather tells Melinda that "It's time for us both to admit that we just are very different." She also tells Melinda that they were never really friends and that Melinda needs to get professional help because she is "the most depressed person" Heather has ever met. I think it makes Melinda upset that Heather is ending their friendship because Melinda actually looked at Heather as a true friend.
What does Heather do as a "final blow" to Melinda? What does this cause Melinda to do?
Heather writes a note to Melinda on Valentine's Day and leaves it on her locker and when Melinda opens the envelope it says "Thanks for understand. You're the sweetest! Good Luck!!! Heather." And inside is the friendship necklace Melinda gave to Heather on Christmas. This causes Melinda to run to her closet at the school and cry.
How would you describe the relationship between Heather and Melinda?
I would describe Melinda and Heather's relationship as a one-way friendship. Heather is using Melinda but only when it's convenient meaning Heather really only talks to Melinda when she wants or needs something.
What does Ivy show Melinda in the girls' bathroom? What does this tell you about Andy Evans?
Ivy shows Melinda all the responses to what she wrote about Andy on the wall. This tells us that Andy is a creep and that Melinda wasn't the first one to be attacked by him.
Explain how Melinda feels about Christmas. How does she spend her Christmas vacation?
Melinda feels that Christmas just isn't the same without little kids around to believe in the magic (Santa Claus) of the holiday. Melinda spends her Christmas vacation working with her parents at their jobs because they don't want he lounging around the house.
What happens to Melinda when she attends the pep rally? Why do you think she doesn't report the harassment to the school officials?
Melinda gets harassed and bullied by a girl sitting behind her. Melinda finds out that the girl's brother was at a party Melinda attended and he had gotten arrested and lost his job after she called the police. Melinda doesn't report the issue to the school officials because she knows that things will get worse for her.
What steps has Melinda taken to improve her life?
Melinda has started sticking up for herself and she is also trying to be more social with others.
How does Melinda feel the first day of high school? Why?
Melinda is sick with a stomachache and she also feels like an outcast because she has no friends.
What does Melinda learn about Rachel? How does she react? What does she finally do?
Melinda learns that Rachel went to the movies with "Andy Beast". She reacts by being upset and concerned for Rachel. Melinda writes Rachel a note warning her about Andy.
What does Melinda paint the week after the pep rally? Why is this significant?
Melinda paints trees that were hit with lightning. I think it is significant because it is how Melinda feels inside. "I tried to paint so they are nearly dead, but not totally."
How does Melinda react to the symbol in The Scarlet Letter, especially the reference to Hester's "A"? What do you think this reveals about Melinda?
Melinda reacts to the symbol by comparing herself to it. She is comparing the similarities that they are both quiet and hiding something. I think this reveals that Melinda feels guilty for keeping her secret to herself and possibly even ashamed.
Why does Melinda refuse to go with David to his house after the ball game? How does she feel? Why do you think she feels this way?
Melinda refuses to go with David to his house after the ball game because of what happened the last time she went to a party. Melinda feels like if she went to another party, things that happened at the last one will repeat again and she is scared of that happening. I think she feels that way because of the secret she is keeping about what happened at the last party she attended.
What does Melinda reveal about the preceding summer?
Melinda reveals that she herself can't even think about what had happened at the party.
What athletic ability does Melinda reveal? How does the coach react and what is Melinda's response? Why do you think she feels this way?
Melinda reveals that she is good at basketball. The coach is very excited and wants her to join the team but gets upset when she finds out Melinda doesn't have the grades to be able to so she asks Melinda to just help the boys on the basketball team with their shooting. Melinda doesn't say anything; she just shrugs her shoulders and the coaches assume she will but in her head, she says she will just skip it. Melinda feels this way because she doesn't want to join the team but she just doesn't speak up about it.
Describe the art project Melinda creates from turkey bones. Why does she do this? How do Mr. Freeman and Ivy react?
Melinda uses turkey bones, a Barbie head, a knife and fork and makes them look like they're attacking the turkey bones. I think Melinda does this because it represents the way she feels inside. Mr. Freeman likes her art project and the emotion it shows. Ivy thinks it's scary in a weird way but thinks Melinda did a good job.
How does Melinda view herself?
Melinda views herself has as a broken person with her lips cracked and her face dirty.
What does Melinda write on the bathroom wall? Why do you think this is significant?
Melinda writes "Guys to Stay Away From" on the bathroom wall and writes the name Andy Evans under it. This is significant because it's her way of telling others how dangerous he is.
What does Melinda write her extra-credit report about? Explain why she does or does not improve her grade.
Melinda writes her about suffragette. The reason it does not improve her grade is because she does not read the paper out loud to the students instead she makes copies of the paper and hands it out to the students.
Who is Melinda's ex-best friend? How does she treat Melinda?
Melinda's ex-best friend is Rachel Bruien. Rachel treats Melinda with anger and hate.
Identify Melinda's former clan/group and explain what has happened to it.
Melinda's former clan was considered "the Plain Janes". The members of the clan each went their separate ways.
Describe Melinda's home life.
Melinda's home life doesn't consist of much communication or parenting; her parents more or less have her fending for herself.
How do Melinda's parents react about her grades?
Melinda's parents are very upset and angry about her grades.
What happens to trigger Melinda's suicide attempt? Do you think she really intends to harm herself?
Melinda's parents are yelling at her again about her grades and attitude and that is what triggers Melinda's suicide attempt. No, I do not think she really intends to harm herself because of how she goes about hurting herself. She used a paper clip versus going to the extreme of using a knife. I think she was just really upset and wants to see how her parents would react when they saw the scars.
How does Mr. Freeman assign art projects for the year? What is Melinda's? How does she feel about it?
Mr. Freeman assigns art projects by using a globe that has a hole in it and projects written on pieces of paper inside of it. Melinda's project is a tree and she feels like it's too easy for her because she learned how to draw one in second grade.
Who gives Melinda a ride to the store where her mother works? What does he tell her just before they part? Do you think this is important?
Mr. Freeman gives Melinda a ride to her mother's works. Mr. Freeman tells Melinda that her that she is a good kid and that if she ever needs to talk to someone, she can talk to him. I think this is important because Melinda doesn't have anyone else that she can open up to and Mr. Freeman saying that to her could help her open up to him.
What happened to Melinda the night of the party? Why do you think she never told anyone?
On the night of the party, Melinda meets a cute senior boy who flirts with Melinda and dances with her. Melinda is drunk while they are dancing and the boy kisses Melinda and before she realizes it, he is taking advantage of her and he rapes her. Melinda remembers saying no to him but he did not stop. Melinda says that he hurts her and leaves.
Describe Thanksgiving Day at Melinda's home. Explain why you agree or disagree that her family's interaction is symptomatic of a dysfunctional family.
Thanksgiving Day at Melinda's home is chaotic mess with her mother trying to work and cook at the same time and her dad getting frustrated and taking over the cooking. I agree that this is showing signs of a dysfunctional family because they are unable to work together as a family.
Who are the Marthas? Why are they important to the story?
The Marthas are a group of girls that are expensive to run with and they are also very big on helping others and doing good. I think they are important because Heather is trying to join their group and when she joins, Melinda will no longer have a friend because once Heather is in the Marthas all of her attention will be towards them.
Explain the debate over the name of the school mascot.
The PTA and school leadership feel that the Hornets is too provocative of a mascot and the student council thinks it's a great mascot because "We are a hive, a community of students."
What is the new name of Merryweather High School mascot? Why do you think the school board changed the name?
The new mascot for Merryweather High School is a Blue Devil. I think the school board changed the name because the previous mascot, "the Trojans didn't send a strong abstinence message."
What is the current name for the Merryweather mascot? Why has it been changed?
The new name for the Merryweather mascot is Hornets. It changed because Principal-Principal stated "Hornets better represent the Merryweather spirit." And because he did not want to spend the money on the mascot costume.
What is the result of the conference with Melinda's parents? What is the most traumatic result of this?
The result of the conference with Melinda's parents is that she has to attend "Merryweather In-School Suspension." The most traumatic result is that IT (Andy Evans) is also attending MISS.
Explain the significance of Melinda's work in the yard.
The significance of Melinda working in the yard is that she is making the change of the front of the house that she wishes she could make for herself.
What does the social studies class debate? Why? Who challenges the teacher? How does the class session end?
The social studies class debates Immigration because Mr. Neck's son didn't get the job he wanted and he thinks it's because of his son's race. David Petrakis challenges the teacher. The class ends with David and Mr. Neck arguing The Constitution and David walks out of the classroom.
What two things cause the conference with Melinda's parents in the principal's office? What do the adults want Melinda to do? What does she do?
The two things that cause the conference with Melinda's parents is her skipping school and her not speaking. The adults want Melinda to TALK but instead she continues to keep quiet.
What happens when Andy Evans find Melinda alone in the art room? What do you think would have happened if Rachel had not appeared?
When Andy Evans finds Melinda alone in the art room he scares Melinda by turning off the lights and again when he starts walking towards her and starts questioning her. I think that if Rachel had not appeared Andy might have hurt Melinda again.
What happens when Melinda is home sick? Why is this significant?
When Melinda is home sick she starts watching talk shows and all of them were based on woman being attacked or raped. It is significant because what they are talking about is exactly what Melinda went through and she is now starting to understand everything that had happened to her.
What happens when Melinda visits Heather on Columbus Day? What do you think this reveals about Heather?
When Melinda visits Heather on Columbus Day, Heather gets upset because she doesn't have any friends and she can't get into any clubs. I think this reveals that Heather is dependent on others and isn't happy unless she has a bunch of friends.
