Melinda, a high school freshman, is the protagonist in Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. The summer before starting high school, she was raped by a senior student, Andy Evans. Due to her trauma and inability to tell anyone about what happened, Melinda spirals into a dark depression; loses her ability to speak with ease; and can express her pain only through physical acts, such as biting her lips and nails. Melinda's introspection and dedication to her art allow her to grow and eventually see herself as a survivor rather than a victim. She learns that the only way to counter evil is to speak out against it.
Explanation:
Melinda Sordino is depicted as a traumatized teenager who is ostracized during her freshman year of high school for calling the police to party after she was raped by an older boy named Andy Evans. Tragically, Melinda struggles to find her voice and inform others about her traumatic experience.
Melinda was formerly a popular student who had many friends and participated in extra-curricular activities. Unfortunately, everything has changed, and she is now an outcast in her school. Melinda's goal is simply to go back to experiencing life as a normal teenager. She is initially motivated to get her friends back and become popular again. Melinda's goal is also to emotionally recover from her traumatic experience. She has built a wall around herself and struggles to cope with being sexually assaulted.
Melinda also wants to prevent Andy Evans from hurting anyone else and wishes to warn other girls that he is a sexual predator
