Welcome FHS students! Please check your FHS gmail! We'll use this blog to talk about our summer readings. Sign into Google with your Fairview Schools login. Speak, Never Fall Down, and The Age of Miracles discussion questions are all on this page. Scroll down to find each novel's questions. Then, click on Comment link following the questions you wish to answer. Click on the page links on the left to access additional information.
Discussion Questions for All Novels
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Speak: 3. Different on the Outside?
3. Are we sometimes different people on the outside than we are on the inside? How? Why is this true, do you think? Relate this topic to the characters in Speak.
I most definitely agree that people can sometimes be different on the outside than they really are on the inside, whether they notice it or not. I think that most of the times it just comes from people trying to act like someone they are not, whether it's based on how they're trying to dress or look, or how they act around people. I believe that for many of the cases, people just feel insecure and try too hard to fit in like everyone else. When people start trying to act like their friends, they may start trying to change their style, hair, personality, hobbies and interests, and anything else that makes them unique. In the novel Speak, I think that a few of the characters acted different on the outside compared to who they really were. The main character, Melinda, was a completely different person on the outside because she never spoke, but really throughout the whole novel she had so much emotion and thoughts inside of her just waiting to come out. Melinda's parents also acted different because throughout most of the novel they each minded their own business and never acted like a family; however, you could tell they wanted to be closer than they were because in the end, they finally started to rekindle their relationships with one another to form a better family. Another character in the novel who acted different on the outside was Heather. Heather came into the school as a new student and all she wanted to do was fit in, so she tried doing this by joining the "Martha Group." Although, once Heather joined "The Martha's" it started to change who she was, like dropping Melinda as her friend but still trying to use her to do work, and dressing the same as them. As you can see, not only have the characters in the novel Speak acted different on the outside, but many people in the world also have too.
I agree with Kelsey when she says, “ I believe that for many of the cases, people just feel insecure and try too hard to fit in like everyone else.” This statement Kelsey made is very true. Someone who is an outcast, like Melinda, might try to become someone they are not just to fit in. Just because you are trying to become someone doesn’t mean they are really going to like you because it isn’t actually “you”. As I said in my other blog post, “being true to yourself is the best quality anyone can have”. This goes along with what Kelsey said because people are going to like you for being yourself. Someone should not change who they are just to fit in. Just be yourself!
To answer bluntly, yes. On many occasions we are different on the inside than how we act, dress, and speak on the outside. However, to answer how we do this is a bit more difficult. It is my belief that there is no specific ways that we appear different on the inside and outside because it is constantly changing. The reason for this change is that we are always trying to please others, and to do this, we show a part of us that we hope will make them happy. Although, not all situations are like this, such as when a depressed person acts happy so they feel they are not showing how upset they are to their friends and family. I feel this is true because people are scared; they are scared to be their own person. This is because standards are set so high, groups are so tightly knit, and oddities are so heavily frowned upon. In a high school setting much like the book and at Fairview, I feel there is pressure to belong. If you do not belong, you are pushed into the shadows, and I feel this is how Melinda felt throughout much of the novel. She felt she didn’t belong, and because of that, she ostracized herself from the rest of society, with their help of course. It takes courage to be unique in an environment where many others drone throughout their daily cycles. In the novel, Melinda is not the only character who this topic relates to. This topic also relates heavily to Andy Evans and Heather among others. Heather falls under the same category as Melinda for most of the book; outcast. She goes through an internal struggle of wanting to fit in for the sake of having friends, a journey that Melinda doesn’t want to take, and they part ways. Heather changes herself, her clothes, her actions, and her friends to fit in to a group. To belong. Andy also represents this situation very well. This is because on the outside, he is the typical popular guy in school that every girl wants, but on the inside he is a sick twisted individual with complete disregard for any other person but himself. However, he does an exceptionally good job at hiding it to get what he wants, and for the most part, this works on girls like Rachel. We live in a society where if you are not in, you are out. And with this mindset, many people are in a sense forced to change who they are so they are not picked on, left out, or made fun of. People dress the same, act the same, and follow in each other's footsteps blindly, not even once questioning their motives. This behavior is all caused by fear. Fear that if they don’t belong they will be alone, which is a very powerful gripping fear. So yes, people are different on the outside then they are on the inside.
This response is very well put Garrett; and I very much agree. People worry too much about other’s opinions, and try to hard to please them. What are we so afraid of? Why does it matter if we’re not accepted by all people? We need to let go of our fear and show our true selves, otherwise we will always be ruled by other’s verdicts. It’s ok not to be someone’s definition of “right”. In Speak, Melinda and Heather both feel like “outcasts”. The girls take different approaches to the situation though. Melinda shies away from others and is fine with staying out of cliques. Heather on the other hand, changes who she hangs out with and the way she looks just to fit in. In the end, Heather appears to end up unhappy. Melinda though, has David as an acquaintance and gets peoples sympathy when they find out the terrible event that happened to her. The fact of the matter is, you should try to be the same on the outside as you are on the inside. Doing that, you’ll find the people who truly care about you.
I definitely agree with Garrett’s response because I relate to the emotions he described. It is entirely true that I fear being an outcast and that I am scared to be my own person. I desire the approval and acceptance of others despite their impossibly high standards. We all want to be liked for who we are, do we not? We all want to feel a sense of belonging whether to an organization, or small group of people. Many times, however, we put on a mask. We put on a mask that says we don’t care what other people think. We don’t care about others’ opinion, others’ approval, or their suggestions. Our mask says we are independent, and for that, we are accepted. As Garrett pointed out, “we live in a society where if you are not in, you are out.” This type of society will accept you if you are an independent individual, just as long as you dress the same and act the same as everyone else. Our mask always tries to please others while secretly fearing disapproval on the inside. Throughout the novel, we see how Heather and Melinda struggle with disapproval. While Heather changes herself, her clothes, and her actions, Melinda desires a friend who will like her for her. Although Melinda does not change herself to “fit in”, we can all relate to her desire to be liked for being ourselves. I believe Garrett perfectly describes Heather’s behavior when he states, “This behavior is all caused by fear. Fear that if they don’t belong they will be alone, which is a very powerful gripping fear.” In the end, it is true that everyone yearns for community, however, it is also one of our greatest fears to be truly known.
I agree with Garrett when he says, “It is my belief that there is no specific ways that we appear different on the inside and outside because it is constantly changing.” For one person, he may be hiding their motives, like Heather, but he may also try to hide an undesirable personality trait like Andy Evans. Andy shows outwardly that he is a nice, handsome, and likeable person, but he is hiding the fact that he has no regard for others’ feelings and he is very selfish. On the other hand, someone like Melinda may try to hide an emotion that is not generally accepted. Furthermore, in school we always hear the clichés about how the tough, mean bully is truly a sensitive person. Sometimes the person on the inside is better than who they show on the outside. That brings me to the next point Garrett said that I agree with. He discussed how society thinks one type of person is better than the other. In a utopia, every personality would be treated equally, so no one would be different on the outside than the inside. Every person could be their true self, so we have no confusion about ulterior motives, secretly selfish people, and truly nice traits.
In all honesty, yes, everyone at one time or another has put on a ‘mask’ or a façade in order to portray themselves them the way they want certain people to view them. People often put on this ‘mask’ when around people who they fear may look down upon them if they are to see the real them, so if surrounded by a group of their close peers they will, in most cases, try and avoid any contact with the one they wish to impress. When alone with said person they’ll act, talk, and even show different body language than if they were with a group of close peers. This happens a lot with teenagers, particularly when they want to get a certain boy or girl like them. The idea of people being different on the outside than they are on the inside is portrayed in Speak in a number of characters, but most notably in Andy Evans. He has created this façade that he is essentially a high school ‘god’ so to speak. Because of how perfectly he has painted this image of himself to the majority of the town’s and school’s population no one is going too readily believe that he would do something as horrid as rape a young girl. This is proven when Melinda finally gets the courage to tell Rachel out of fear that she might fall victim to him as well. Another example of how this topic relates to Speak is the fact that sometimes people will change the way they act on the outside to fit how society has told us we need to act around certain people and events. This is expressed when Rachel and Melinda talk. When Melinda asks Rachel if she’s still mad at her she tells her she isn't but she still has refused to speak to her throughout the majority of the story aside from several insults in French. The way Rachel has portrayed her relationship with Melinda throughout the story up until to that point has expressed that she hadn't forgiven her calling the police at the party, because of how the rest of those around her haven’t and she doesn't want to be treated the same as Melinda has been treated. Essentially there are many factors as to why people will display themselves differently than the way they truly are but the two most prominently expressed in Speak are to get what you want without anyone actually believing you would do them, and the other is from plain peer pressure.
There are certain qualities associated with how an individual appears on the “outside,” when compared to what that individual would consider to be an accurate representation of themselves based on who they are on the “inside.” When describing how an individual appears on the outside, appearance, social habits, and interactions are generally taken into consideration to create an aesthetic image of the said individual. On the contrary, how an individual is defined on the inside is often a more abstract compilation of personal thoughts, opinions, morals, and motives. A prominent difference between both definitions has to do with the control of an individual’s image. Any given individual controls how they appear on the outside, but cannot control how they are perceived by others. Therefore, an individual’s outside image is largely determined by the perceptions of others, while their inside image is based on qualities within themselves. Irregularity between how an individual appears outside and how they are on the inside occurs when someone presents an inaccurate version of themselves. This is to say that their physical appearance and actions contradict their personal thoughts and morals. Various reasons exist as explanation for why this denial of self may be present, the most prevalent being the desire to oblige by an outside influence. Such a trend is evident in the character Heather in the novel Speak. As a new student at Merryweather High School, Heather refuses to accept her social role as an outcast. Her initial approach at social interactions appears genuine, but as the novel progresses her motives shift. Her ultimate goal is to gain popularity among the students, especially within a particular group. She attempts to do so by adjusting how she appears on the outside to conform with the demands of social obligations. Melinda is another character who conforms to a role assigned by society. As the novel progresses, we observe the development of Melinda’s character and are aware that she has strong internal motives and thoughts that she does not project on the “outside.” Unlike Heather, Melinda appears comfortable filling the role of “Outcast,” perhaps because it is the easiest role to fill according to her situation. Again, Melinda’s situation is one of social obligation and personal choice.
I like how Halle said that our inside image is based on our qualities, while our outside image is "largely determined by the perception of others." There is nothing we can do to change who we are inside. However, we can completely change our appearance overnight. Our outside self is based on our clothes, the way we look, and what we say. If our outside doesn't reflect what we are inside, then people will see us differently than who we really are. This also means that you can be seen differently by separate people. One person you don't know well might say you are quiet. But your best friend might say you are the loudest and funniest person they know. You project an image, and it is up to the public to perceive it how they want. The more an individual gets to know someone, the closer that individual gets to that someone's true self, who they are inside. This proves that first impressions are rarely right. While you may always remember that first impression, you will usually only have seen the outer most layer of the person’s personality.
Sometimes we are different people on the outside than we are on the inside. Many times people will change their personalities, hobbies, interests, and friends. Some people change so they will fit in, and some change for acceptance so they will not be looked down upon. I think that today many people try to be someone they’re not, and they lie to themselves. They want to fit in and be like everyone else. A person being different on the inside than the outside occurs often in Speak. For example, from the first day Rachel wanted to reclaim her European heritage, so she started hanging out with the foreign exchange students. She changed in many different ways. Rachel started wearing different clothing and different makeup so she could be more like the foreign exchange students. She even changed her name to Rachelle. Another person who is different on the inside than the outside is Melinda. On the inside she withholds many secrets and truths about the party, but on the outside she doesn’t leak them. She rarely even speaks. On the inside she would like to tell everybody, but she just can’t on the outside. Andy Evans is also someone who is different on the inside than the outside. He knows what he did to Melinda, but he won’t admit it. Andy was also very kind to Rachel on the outside, but on the inside he just wanted to use her. Rachel thought about what Melinda said, and found out that Andy didn’t really love her. He was only pretending to love her on the outside, not the inside. Heather also changed on the outside to fit in. She wanted the Martha’s to accept her into their group. Heather had to change her style and many other things just so she would be accepted. Many people today think that they need to change to fit in. They think that they will be looked down upon if they don’t like the same things or look the same as someone else. In reality many people will prejudge someone on their overall appearance. If someone has to change to be accepted, then those people are not your real friends. Real friends should be okay with people’s differences and realize that not everyone is alike.
Caitlin, you made a lot of good points in here and I agree with all of them. There are so many examples from the book in your response, and I believe they are all very well thought out and well said! I especially agree with you when you say that Rachel changes. I think that she changes the most throughout the book, starting with being best friends with Melinda, to hating her, and then believing Melinda about Andy. I personally feel that it would be really hard to be in both Melinda and Rachel’s shoes because of the mental instability that they both acquire, and how different they both are on the outside in contrast with the inside. Melinda’s feelings and emotions inside are pretty self-explanatory, but she wants to tell somebody what happened, somebody that will believe her, just as you (Caitlin) said. As for Rachel, I feel that there is more going through her head than just hating Melinda. If only the book showed what she was thinking! Although the book does not tell what Rachel is feeling on the inside, I’m assuming she is very conflicted. On the outside, she shows a lot of hatred towards Melinda at the beginning of the book because of the party, but I am sure that that is difficult for her to do considering Melinda was her best friend. In my opinion, Rachel only starts to hang out with the foreign exchange students because she needs somebody to make her forget about all of the good memories she has with Melinda; she needed to feel like a different person. All in all, the characters in Speak, especially Rachel and Melinda are for the most part different on the outside than they are on the inside.
A lot of times people will act differently on the outside and that can stop them from saying what they want to say or saying what they feel. A good example of this would be the outside appearance of a person. Most people change the way they dress, look, or even what they say to fit it with the people around them. On the outside Melinda looks like a girl who does not care about anything but on the inside Melinda is hurting. Melinda wanted to tell someone what happen to her, but she couldn’t because she was afraid what people would think of her. People, mainly adolescents, are afraid to speak their minds because they are afraid that people will judge them. This sometimes stops people from saying what they need to say, causing them to hurt inside. I believe all people want to fit it in some way, but to grow as a person you need to speak your mind. Speaking your mind helps you become who you are and frees you from pain. Melinda was unable to speak because she believed no one would listen to her. Because of this, Melinda came off as a girl who did not care but on the inside she was just scared to speak.
Sam makes a great point here when she say’s that everyone wants to fit in some way or another, so in order to do so they go and do what they think will make them fit in. Like when people only wear a certain brand of cloths because it’s what everyone else wears, or it will make the ‘popular’.
I agree that sometimes everyone can be different on the outside than who we are on the inside. Sometimes we’re trying to be a better somebody, a happy face to cover up when we’re really upset, or trying to be polite to someone you don’t like. It doesn’t make you fake. We pretend to make things seem alright, to not cause attention to it. Maybe it’s insecurity people always try to hide, covering it up with a fake smile, an expensive wardrobe, or something that you’re not. I think we try to hide what’s unique about us so we can be like others, but we really need to be ourselves. Many characters in the novel ‘Speak’ are different on the outside. For example, Rachel is always trying to be different and fit in with the foreign students. She learns French, she dresses like them, she eats their food. Rachel isn’t like them though, she’s not like that inside. She’s trying to be the person she wants to be, but that’s not really how she is on the inside. Heather also tries to blend in with a group, the Marthas. She tries to be just like them, dress like them, act like them. However that isn’t how she really is, she’s covering up who she really is to fit in with them. The main character Melinda is especially like this. On the inside, she’s depressed, alone and crying for help. On the outside, she’s just an outcast teenage girl with dropping grades and supposed attitude. She covers up the truth and who she really is because of what happened. Melinda is fearful of what might happen because of the truth, so she hides it.
I agree that we are sometimes different on the inside than on the inside. However, I think the reasons we are different on the inside than what other people see varies. For example, a person could seem really nice on the outside, while on the inside, they are thinking all the mean and nasty things they could say. They say something different than what they are really thinking to be polite. Another example is a person saying what they think others should here so they can fit into the “popular” group. I think people usually project a different person on the outside than on the inside because they want other people to like them. People try so hard to fit into the public opinion of normal that they bury their true selves just to fit in. In Speak, Melinda hides her true self a lot. Throughout the whole book Melinda is constantly thinking funny, sarcastic things, but she never says them. Heather also does whatever she has to do to get into the Martha’s. She uses Melinda to finish jobs the Martha’s give her, and does everything they say just so she can be a part of their group. The title, Speak, seems to be telling people to not hide their true selves, and speak out. If people are different on the outside than the inside, nobody knows who they really are. We need to be able to show our true selves and not hide to conform to what people want to see.
The pruning of the tree is symbolic to Melinda’s life. I think that the author chose the tree in her front yard to show what is going on inside of Melinda; both her and the tree are slowly suffering, in order for either of them to grow or mature any more they will need help. The tree will need the arborist’s help. Melinda will need the help of Mr. Freeman. The tree can’t really help itself, but Melinda can, in order to be helped she must help herself.
I believe people are truly different on the outside than on the inside. Everyone has ulterior motives that they keep hidden from others, and in order to satisfy their motives, they have to put on a different face and act like they are true. In the novel, Heather seems nice and supportive to Melinda. As the book develops, however, the reader discovers Heather is obsessed with popularity. She takes Melinda for granted and uses Melinda to do her jobs for the Marthas while she never does anything for Melinda. Melinda obviously needs help with her depression, but Heather is too self-absorbed to realize something is wrong with the only girl who will be her true friend. Heather uses Melinda multiple times to gain popularity, but as soon as she realizes Melinda’s “reputation” is holding her back, she ditches her for the Marthas. Further along in Speak, Heather has the audacity to ask Melinda for help, and then tries to redesign Melinda’s room because she, Heather, thinks it is ugly. People definitely have different outward looks than what they truly are on the inside.
I most definitely agree that people can sometimes be different on the outside than they really are on the inside, whether they notice it or not. I think that most of the times it just comes from people trying to act like someone they are not, whether it's based on how they're trying to dress or look, or how they act around people. I believe that for many of the cases, people just feel insecure and try too hard to fit in like everyone else. When people start trying to act like their friends, they may start trying to change their style, hair, personality, hobbies and interests, and anything else that makes them unique. In the novel Speak, I think that a few of the characters acted different on the outside compared to who they really were. The main character, Melinda, was a completely different person on the outside because she never spoke, but really throughout the whole novel she had so much emotion and thoughts inside of her just waiting to come out. Melinda's parents also acted different because throughout most of the novel they each minded their own business and never acted like a family; however, you could tell they wanted to be closer than they were because in the end, they finally started to rekindle their relationships with one another to form a better family. Another character in the novel who acted different on the outside was Heather. Heather came into the school as a new student and all she wanted to do was fit in, so she tried doing this by joining the "Martha Group." Although, once Heather joined "The Martha's" it started to change who she was, like dropping Melinda as her friend but still trying to use her to do work, and dressing the same as them. As you can see, not only have the characters in the novel Speak acted different on the outside, but many people in the world also have too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelsey when she says, “ I believe that for many of the cases, people just feel insecure and try too hard to fit in like everyone else.” This statement Kelsey made is very true. Someone who is an outcast, like Melinda, might try to become someone they are not just to fit in. Just because you are trying to become someone doesn’t mean they are really going to like you because it isn’t actually “you”. As I said in my other blog post, “being true to yourself is the best quality anyone can have”. This goes along with what Kelsey said because people are going to like you for being yourself. Someone should not change who they are just to fit in. Just be yourself!
DeleteTo answer bluntly, yes. On many occasions we are different on the inside than how we act, dress, and speak on the outside. However, to answer how we do this is a bit more difficult. It is my belief that there is no specific ways that we appear different on the inside and outside because it is constantly changing. The reason for this change is that we are always trying to please others, and to do this, we show a part of us that we hope will make them happy. Although, not all situations are like this, such as when a depressed person acts happy so they feel they are not showing how upset they are to their friends and family. I feel this is true because people are scared; they are scared to be their own person. This is because standards are set so high, groups are so tightly knit, and oddities are so heavily frowned upon. In a high school setting much like the book and at Fairview, I feel there is pressure to belong. If you do not belong, you are pushed into the shadows, and I feel this is how Melinda felt throughout much of the novel. She felt she didn’t belong, and because of that, she ostracized herself from the rest of society, with their help of course. It takes courage to be unique in an environment where many others drone throughout their daily cycles.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, Melinda is not the only character who this topic relates to. This topic also relates heavily to Andy Evans and Heather among others. Heather falls under the same category as Melinda for most of the book; outcast. She goes through an internal struggle of wanting to fit in for the sake of having friends, a journey that Melinda doesn’t want to take, and they part ways. Heather changes herself, her clothes, her actions, and her friends to fit in to a group. To belong. Andy also represents this situation very well. This is because on the outside, he is the typical popular guy in school that every girl wants, but on the inside he is a sick twisted individual with complete disregard for any other person but himself. However, he does an exceptionally good job at hiding it to get what he wants, and for the most part, this works on girls like Rachel.
We live in a society where if you are not in, you are out. And with this mindset, many people are in a sense forced to change who they are so they are not picked on, left out, or made fun of. People dress the same, act the same, and follow in each other's footsteps blindly, not even once questioning their motives. This behavior is all caused by fear. Fear that if they don’t belong they will be alone, which is a very powerful gripping fear. So yes, people are different on the outside then they are on the inside.
This response is very well put Garrett; and I very much agree. People worry too much about other’s opinions, and try to hard to please them. What are we so afraid of? Why does it matter if we’re not accepted by all people? We need to let go of our fear and show our true selves, otherwise we will always be ruled by other’s verdicts. It’s ok not to be someone’s definition of “right”. In Speak, Melinda and Heather both feel like “outcasts”. The girls take different approaches to the situation though. Melinda shies away from others and is fine with staying out of cliques. Heather on the other hand, changes who she hangs out with and the way she looks just to fit in. In the end, Heather appears to end up unhappy. Melinda though, has David as an acquaintance and gets peoples sympathy when they find out the terrible event that happened to her. The fact of the matter is, you should try to be the same on the outside as you are on the inside. Doing that, you’ll find the people who truly care about you.
DeleteI definitely agree with Garrett’s response because I relate to the emotions he described. It is entirely true that I fear being an outcast and that I am scared to be my own person. I desire the approval and acceptance of others despite their impossibly high standards. We all want to be liked for who we are, do we not? We all want to feel a sense of belonging whether to an organization, or small group of people. Many times, however, we put on a mask. We put on a mask that says we don’t care what other people think. We don’t care about others’ opinion, others’ approval, or their suggestions. Our mask says we are independent, and for that, we are accepted. As Garrett pointed out, “we live in a society where if you are not in, you are out.” This type of society will accept you if you are an independent individual, just as long as you dress the same and act the same as everyone else. Our mask always tries to please others while secretly fearing disapproval on the inside.
DeleteThroughout the novel, we see how Heather and Melinda struggle with disapproval. While Heather changes herself, her clothes, and her actions, Melinda desires a friend who will like her for her. Although Melinda does not change herself to “fit in”, we can all relate to her desire to be liked for being ourselves. I believe Garrett perfectly describes Heather’s behavior when he states, “This behavior is all caused by fear. Fear that if they don’t belong they will be alone, which is a very powerful gripping fear.” In the end, it is true that everyone yearns for community, however, it is also one of our greatest fears to be truly known.
I agree with Garrett when he says, “It is my belief that there is no specific ways that we appear different on the inside and outside because it is constantly changing.” For one person, he may be hiding their motives, like Heather, but he may also try to hide an undesirable personality trait like Andy Evans. Andy shows outwardly that he is a nice, handsome, and likeable person, but he is hiding the fact that he has no regard for others’ feelings and he is very selfish. On the other hand, someone like Melinda may try to hide an emotion that is not generally accepted. Furthermore, in school we always hear the clichés about how the tough, mean bully is truly a sensitive person. Sometimes the person on the inside is better than who they show on the outside.
DeleteThat brings me to the next point Garrett said that I agree with. He discussed how society thinks one type of person is better than the other. In a utopia, every personality would be treated equally, so no one would be different on the outside than the inside. Every person could be their true self, so we have no confusion about ulterior motives, secretly selfish people, and truly nice traits.
In all honesty, yes, everyone at one time or another has put on a ‘mask’ or a façade in order to portray themselves them the way they want certain people to view them. People often put on this ‘mask’ when around people who they fear may look down upon them if they are to see the real them, so if surrounded by a group of their close peers they will, in most cases, try and avoid any contact with the one they wish to impress. When alone with said person they’ll act, talk, and even show different body language than if they were with a group of close peers. This happens a lot with teenagers, particularly when they want to get a certain boy or girl like them.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of people being different on the outside than they are on the inside is portrayed in Speak in a number of characters, but most notably in Andy Evans. He has created this façade that he is essentially a high school ‘god’ so to speak. Because of how perfectly he has painted this image of himself to the majority of the town’s and school’s population no one is going too readily believe that he would do something as horrid as rape a young girl. This is proven when Melinda finally gets the courage to tell Rachel out of fear that she might fall victim to him as well.
Another example of how this topic relates to Speak is the fact that sometimes people will change the way they act on the outside to fit how society has told us we need to act around certain people and events. This is expressed when Rachel and Melinda talk. When Melinda asks Rachel if she’s still mad at her she tells her she isn't but she still has refused to speak to her throughout the majority of the story aside from several insults in French. The way Rachel has portrayed her relationship with Melinda throughout the story up until to that point has expressed that she hadn't forgiven her calling the police at the party, because of how the rest of those around her haven’t and she doesn't want to be treated the same as Melinda has been treated.
Essentially there are many factors as to why people will display themselves differently than the way they truly are but the two most prominently expressed in Speak are to get what you want without anyone actually believing you would do them, and the other is from plain peer pressure.
There are certain qualities associated with how an individual appears on the “outside,” when compared to what that individual would consider to be an accurate representation of themselves based on who they are on the “inside.” When describing how an individual appears on the outside, appearance, social habits, and interactions are generally taken into consideration to create an aesthetic image of the said individual. On the contrary, how an individual is defined on the inside is often a more abstract compilation of personal thoughts, opinions, morals, and motives. A prominent difference between both definitions has to do with the control of an individual’s image. Any given individual controls how they appear on the outside, but cannot control how they are perceived by others. Therefore, an individual’s outside image is largely determined by the perceptions of others, while their inside image is based on qualities within themselves.
ReplyDeleteIrregularity between how an individual appears outside and how they are on the inside occurs when someone presents an inaccurate version of themselves. This is to say that their physical appearance and actions contradict their personal thoughts and morals. Various reasons exist as explanation for why this denial of self may be present, the most prevalent being the desire to oblige by an outside influence. Such a trend is evident in the character Heather in the novel Speak. As a new student at Merryweather High School, Heather refuses to accept her social role as an outcast. Her initial approach at social interactions appears genuine, but as the novel progresses her motives shift. Her ultimate goal is to gain popularity among the students, especially within a particular group. She attempts to do so by adjusting how she appears on the outside to conform with the demands of social obligations.
Melinda is another character who conforms to a role assigned by society. As the novel progresses, we observe the development of Melinda’s character and are aware that she has strong internal motives and thoughts that she does not project on the “outside.” Unlike Heather, Melinda appears comfortable filling the role of “Outcast,” perhaps because it is the easiest role to fill according to her situation. Again, Melinda’s situation is one of social obligation and personal choice.
I like how Halle said that our inside image is based on our qualities, while our outside image is "largely determined by the perception of others." There is nothing we can do to change who we are inside. However, we can completely change our appearance overnight. Our outside self is based on our clothes, the way we look, and what we say. If our outside doesn't reflect what we are inside, then people will see us differently than who we really are. This also means that you can be seen differently by separate people. One person you don't know well might say you are quiet. But your best friend might say you are the loudest and funniest person they know. You project an image, and it is up to the public to perceive it how they want. The more an individual gets to know someone, the closer that individual gets to that someone's true self, who they are inside. This proves that first impressions are rarely right. While you may always remember that first impression, you will usually only have seen the outer most layer of the person’s personality.
DeleteSometimes we are different people on the outside than we are on the inside. Many times people will change their personalities, hobbies, interests, and friends. Some people change so they will fit in, and some change for acceptance so they will not be looked down upon. I think that today many people try to be someone they’re not, and they lie to themselves. They want to fit in and be like everyone else. A person being different on the inside than the outside occurs often in Speak.
ReplyDeleteFor example, from the first day Rachel wanted to reclaim her European heritage, so she started hanging out with the foreign exchange students. She changed in many different ways. Rachel started wearing different clothing and different makeup so she could be more like the foreign exchange students. She even changed her name to Rachelle.
Another person who is different on the inside than the outside is Melinda. On the inside she withholds many secrets and truths about the party, but on the outside she doesn’t leak them. She rarely even speaks. On the inside she would like to tell everybody, but she just can’t on the outside.
Andy Evans is also someone who is different on the inside than the outside. He knows what he did to Melinda, but he won’t admit it. Andy was also very kind to Rachel on the outside, but on the inside he just wanted to use her. Rachel thought about what Melinda said, and found out that Andy didn’t really love her. He was only pretending to love her on the outside, not the inside.
Heather also changed on the outside to fit in. She wanted the Martha’s to accept her into their group. Heather had to change her style and many other things just so she would be accepted.
Many people today think that they need to change to fit in. They think that they will be looked down upon if they don’t like the same things or look the same as someone else. In reality many people will prejudge someone on their overall appearance. If someone has to change to be accepted, then those people are not your real friends. Real friends should be okay with people’s differences and realize that not everyone is alike.
Caitlin, you made a lot of good points in here and I agree with all of them. There are so many examples from the book in your response, and I believe they are all very well thought out and well said! I especially agree with you when you say that Rachel changes. I think that she changes the most throughout the book, starting with being best friends with Melinda, to hating her, and then believing Melinda about Andy. I personally feel that it would be really hard to be in both Melinda and Rachel’s shoes because of the mental instability that they both acquire, and how different they both are on the outside in contrast with the inside. Melinda’s feelings and emotions inside are pretty self-explanatory, but she wants to tell somebody what happened, somebody that will believe her, just as you (Caitlin) said. As for Rachel, I feel that there is more going through her head than just hating Melinda. If only the book showed what she was thinking! Although the book does not tell what Rachel is feeling on the inside, I’m assuming she is very conflicted. On the outside, she shows a lot of hatred towards Melinda at the beginning of the book because of the party, but I am sure that that is difficult for her to do considering Melinda was her best friend. In my opinion, Rachel only starts to hang out with the foreign exchange students because she needs somebody to make her forget about all of the good memories she has with Melinda; she needed to feel like a different person. All in all, the characters in Speak, especially Rachel and Melinda are for the most part different on the outside than they are on the inside.
DeleteA lot of times people will act differently on the outside and that can stop them from saying what they want to say or saying what they feel. A good example of this would be the outside appearance of a person. Most people change the way they dress, look, or even what they say to fit it with the people around them. On the outside Melinda looks like a girl who does not care about anything but on the inside Melinda is hurting. Melinda wanted to tell someone what happen to her, but she couldn’t because she was afraid what people would think of her. People, mainly adolescents, are afraid to speak their minds because they are afraid that people will judge them. This sometimes stops people from saying what they need to say, causing them to hurt inside. I believe all people want to fit it in some way, but to grow as a person you need to speak your mind. Speaking your mind helps you become who you are and frees you from pain. Melinda was unable to speak because she believed no one would listen to her. Because of this, Melinda came off as a girl who did not care but on the inside she was just scared to speak.
ReplyDeleteSam makes a great point here when she say’s that everyone wants to fit in some way or another, so in order to do so they go and do what they think will make them fit in. Like when people only wear a certain brand of cloths because it’s what everyone else wears, or it will make the ‘popular’.
DeleteI agree that sometimes everyone can be different on the outside than who we are on the inside. Sometimes we’re trying to be a better somebody, a happy face to cover up when we’re really upset, or trying to be polite to someone you don’t like. It doesn’t make you fake. We pretend to make things seem alright, to not cause attention to it. Maybe it’s insecurity people always try to hide, covering it up with a fake smile, an expensive wardrobe, or something that you’re not. I think we try to hide what’s unique about us so we can be like others, but we really need to be ourselves. Many characters in the novel ‘Speak’ are different on the outside. For example, Rachel is always trying to be different and fit in with the foreign students. She learns French, she dresses like them, she eats their food. Rachel isn’t like them though, she’s not like that inside. She’s trying to be the person she wants to be, but that’s not really how she is on the inside. Heather also tries to blend in with a group, the Marthas. She tries to be just like them, dress like them, act like them. However that isn’t how she really is, she’s covering up who she really is to fit in with them. The main character Melinda is especially like this. On the inside, she’s depressed, alone and crying for help. On the outside, she’s just an outcast teenage girl with dropping grades and supposed attitude. She covers up the truth and who she really is because of what happened. Melinda is fearful of what might happen because of the truth, so she hides it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we are sometimes different on the inside than on the inside. However, I think the reasons we are different on the inside than what other people see varies. For example, a person could seem really nice on the outside, while on the inside, they are thinking all the mean and nasty things they could say. They say something different than what they are really thinking to be polite. Another example is a person saying what they think others should here so they can fit into the “popular” group. I think people usually project a different person on the outside than on the inside because they want other people to like them. People try so hard to fit into the public opinion of normal that they bury their true selves just to fit in. In Speak, Melinda hides her true self a lot. Throughout the whole book Melinda is constantly thinking funny, sarcastic things, but she never says them. Heather also does whatever she has to do to get into the Martha’s. She uses Melinda to finish jobs the Martha’s give her, and does everything they say just so she can be a part of their group. The title, Speak, seems to be telling people to not hide their true selves, and speak out. If people are different on the outside than the inside, nobody knows who they really are. We need to be able to show our true selves and not hide to conform to what people want to see.
ReplyDeleteThe pruning of the tree is symbolic to Melinda’s life. I think that the author chose the tree in her front yard to show what is going on inside of Melinda; both her and the tree are slowly suffering, in order for either of them to grow or mature any more they will need help. The tree will need the arborist’s help. Melinda will need the help of Mr. Freeman. The tree can’t really help itself, but Melinda can, in order to be helped she must help herself.
ReplyDeleteI believe people are truly different on the outside than on the inside. Everyone has ulterior motives that they keep hidden from others, and in order to satisfy their motives, they have to put on a different face and act like they are true. In the novel, Heather seems nice and supportive to Melinda. As the book develops, however, the reader discovers Heather is obsessed with popularity. She takes Melinda for granted and uses Melinda to do her jobs for the Marthas while she never does anything for Melinda. Melinda obviously needs help with her depression, but Heather is too self-absorbed to realize something is wrong with the only girl who will be her true friend. Heather uses Melinda multiple times to gain popularity, but as soon as she realizes Melinda’s “reputation” is holding her back, she ditches her for the Marthas. Further along in Speak, Heather has the audacity to ask Melinda for help, and then tries to redesign Melinda’s room because she, Heather, thinks it is ugly. People definitely have different outward looks than what they truly are on the inside.
ReplyDelete