Discussion Questions for All Novels
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Speak: 7: Humor
7. Humor: Despite
her internal sense of humor, Melinda seems depressed to the outside world. In
what ways is her depression evident? How do the people around her react to her
behavior? Do you think they respond appropriately? How would you respond? How
do the characteristics of these places provide a window into her character?
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In the novel Speak, the main character, Melinda, seems depressed to the outside world. This depression is evidently shown through her actions and the way she portrays herself. Although Melinda has an internal sense of humor (which lightens the mood of the story and makes it easier to read) her humor is darker than most. While some of her jokes are really funny, like the story about Ms. Keen wearing a purple dress (page 37), others just seem a bit morbid. An example of this could be when she renames the indoctrination to “The First Ten Lies They Tell You in High School”. While this is sort of funny, it reveals that she had a rather downcast look on high school and, in general, life.
ReplyDeleteAnother way that her depression is shown is through her low self-esteem and inability to help herself. Throughout the book, Melinda makes numerous remarks about how ugly and stupid she thinks she is. A major incident showing her low self esteem was on page 17. During this scene, she compared her eyes to “muddy circles”, her eyebrows to “black dashes”, her nostrils to “piggy noses”, and her mouth to a “bloody horror”. She strongly feels that something is wrong with her, and, though she has numerous chances to help herself, she refuses to. During the story, Melinda comes to trust some people that show her that she can confide in them, but she refuses aid. Instead, she wallows in self-pity and fails to socialize with classmates who all supposedly hate her.
All of the characters in this book react differently to Melinda’s obvious depression, but all of the reactions aren’t focused immediately on Melinda. Instead, everyone focuses on themselves and how Melinda is affecting them. An example of this would be on page 114, when Melinda’s mom says, “I don’t know why she’s doing this to us.” In my opinion, saying that was probably the worst thing that somebody could say. Melinda didn’t tell anybody her secret because she felt that nobody cared and that nobody wanted to listen. When her mom shifted the conversation to make Melinda feel like she was the villain and her mom was the victim of the whole situation, it probably made her feel even worse. Scolding someone for coping with a bad experience is a terrible idea because it just makes them feel worse. Instead her mom should’ve just been sympathetic and supportive.
If I had the chance to respond to Melinda’s situation, I would first try to gain her trust. I would let her know every possible moment that, if she ever needed anything, I would be there by her side to support her through every demon she had to face. I would never pretend to understand what she’s going through because I haven’t been through it, but I would let her know that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel eventually.
This all provides a wide window into Melinda’s characteristics. It shows a side of her that is darker than it used to be. When she reflects on happy memories, there is a huge difference between old and new Melinda. While she does have a sense of humor, it reflects her morbid mood. It also shows that she feels unloved. She needs a lot of support and a confidence boost most of the time, but she never has any friends to give her one. Deep down, she’s probably really lonely. She feels that nobody cares about her. The situations that Melinda goes through show that all she really needs is someone she can trust and rely on.
Melinda’s depression is evident in many ways. In school, her grades continually drop, she secludes herself from others and doesn’t put in any effort into making friends. She also skips class, sulks around, and when Heather constantly tries to converse with her she is dull and does not want to talk.
ReplyDeleteThe people around Melinda all react relatively the same to Melinda’s depression. They all view her as an oddity and pay no attention to her. Her schoolmates never give her a chance to fit in and they make sure to isolate her. I guess I do not believe they responded appropriately, but they responded the same way I would in a situation similar to that.
I totally agree with Dylan on this one. "She secluded herself from others and doesn't put in any effort into making friends" Dylan said that perfectly. Also everyone did act the same to Melinda depression, and no one wanted to be friends with Melinda because of her attitude. Dylan also said that everyone acted appropriately, and that he would have responded the same way. That is exactly what I put in my response. I agree with everything Dylan said.
DeleteMelinda’s depression is easily noticed by her dull and bleak attitude. She has the “I don’t care attitude”, and everyone around her notices it, her grades dropped randomly that school year, Melinda was skipping school, and her lack of effort when attempting to find friends. Everyone noticed and its one reason she didn’t have very many friends. Nobody wants a friend that doesn’t even try to have fun, or isn’t will to change their depressive attitude. I would have responded that same way that everyone else did. I think it is a totally normal response. What kind of friend would she even be when she’s depressed. I would want a friend that would be fun to be around. She would probably even make me feel depressed; I mean her aurora would just put a cloud over my head. Her depression makes Melinda look like a very boring person when she’s not. Her depressive attitude just ruins her. Holding in that secret didn’t help her at all. Melinda was a very humorous character and I enjoyed her jokes. If she showed that personality she would have many friends.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with many of the points Chris made above. He made it clear that although Melinda is seen as depressed and dull by everyone around her, she is really a "humorous character". I also like how he is honest in his answer that he would have responded the same way everyone else did, but backed up his point by explaining that no one likes to be around someone whose always unhappy. He states "I would want a friend that would be fun to be around. SHe would probably even make me feel depressed; I mean her aurora would just put a cloud over my head". I agree with Chris's statement. I want to surround myself with people that will make me happy and that I can have fun with. Being friends with Melinda would probably only make me feel sad too.
DeleteI agree completely with the points Chris stated above. He does a great job making it clear that although Melinda is depressed and dull on the outside she is completely different on the inside and "was a very humorous character". I like how he was honest in saying that he would have responded the same way towards her depression, that almost everyone else did in the novel. After stating this he backs up his point by saying, "I would want a friend that is fun to be around. She would probably even make me feel depressed; I mean her aurora would just put a cloud over my head". I can relate to this completely. I also want friends that are fun to be around. I can also agree that if I were friends with Melinda she would probably make me feel depressed too.
DeleteMelinda’s depression is shown mainly in the way she reacts or thinks about certain things. For example, while Heather is trying her best to fit in with the Marthas, she rather not bother trying to fit in at all. Melinda’s sense of humor plays a part into how people respond to her behavior. When she says something that she thinks is funny to other people, they react like someone shocked because they probably hadn't considered what she has said fully before reacting to it. This is why I don’t think the people around her in the novel react to her behavior like they should have.
ReplyDeleteI would’ve responded by saying nothing at all until I understood completely what Melinda meant by what she just said. These characteristics show us more of her character by thinking more about the meaning of her words because what might make sense to someone else in their head, might not make as much sense when spoken aloud.
Melinda’s depression is evident throughout the novel, but does get better by the end. Her depression is evident in both her thoughts and actions. First of all, she was self-destructive. She harms her wrist and cuts it with a paperclip. Like most depressed people, she believed that the physical pain would distract her from the emotional pain. Her grades gradually continue dropping and get worse and worse as time goes by. She cares less and less about her performance at school and by the third marking period she is practically failing almost every class but art. She skipped school multiple times, stopped turning in assignments, spoke minimally, and lost interest in many things. People around her do not react well to her behavior. She pushes many people away because many are not attracted to the negative attitude she radiates. You see this especially with Heather and at some point Heather gives up trying to be friends with Melinda entirely. Her parents just become frustrated with Melinda’s actions, responding inappropriately. Instead of trying to help her they just yell at her and give her speeches, instead of using other tactics such as professional help. I think I would’ve responded differently than the characters in the novel. I would’ve tried to be more understanding towards Melinda because she isn’t all boring and depressed on the inside as she may seem on the outside.
ReplyDeleteMelinda’s peers find her to be depressed, although she has a sense of humor. People think that she is weird, and treat her like she isn’t really of much value. If I were to meet Melinda I would probably try to find out what is really going on, and befriend her. The reason people don’t like her is because of what happened at the party. Melinda doesn’t want to do anything she hardly talks, when she talks to her parents she just answers with a head nod, or a one word answer, they ask her why she is doing this she doesn’t really respond. Her “Depression” is because she is afraid to talk to anyone.
ReplyDelete