Summary
Heather, Melinda's friend, has found a clan called the Marthas. She finally feels that she fits in with the school, not being a loner. The Marthas has to have their outfits coordinated, crisp, and seasonally appropriate: plaid for autumn, sweaters for winter, and skirts for spring. The Marthas also are a big support for the school, who help on projects and do good objectives.
At the end of the First Marking Period, Melinda's report card grade came out not-so-good for a student.
The Second Marking Period begins and Melinda's parents want her to stay after school every day to get help from the teachers. She agrees, but she decides to stay in her closet. She has a Spanish teacher that thinks that all the students would understand the homework assignments, and if they don't they will get detention for "pretending". She has a social studies teacher that is very ignorant about students opinions. She has an art teacher, which is the only subject Melinda is interested in, since she only got an A in that class.
Family for Melinda is very important for her. On Thanksgiving, her mother cooks dinner. It's the definition of being a mother and since her family doesn't talk much, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner describes the importance of being a family.
Melinda also sees her family as a failure. During winter break, she understood the point of Christmas and presents. Once Melinda found out that getting presents were from Santa was a lie, it broke their parents hearts. Melinda says if she wasn't born, her parents would be divorced, and Melinda was a disappointment. Melinda describes herself as her parents, an ordinary drone dressed in secrets and lies.
Quote
"It's a shame we can't just admit that we have failed family living, sell the house, split up the money, and get on with our lives. Merry Christmas" (Anderson 70).
Reaction
Melinda shows how her life from the start, should never had to begin with. The relationship with their parents are not very compatible, as Melinda says. With Melinda being born, her parents had to agree upon living together. Melinda feels this is her present for Christmas.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 1-40
Summary
It is the start of the First Marking Period. The first morning of high school, Merryweather High. The school is separated by clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. But Melinda Sordino is an outcast. High school for Melinda is different in ways that she doesn't respond to anyone, or ignore the people around her environment. Melinda lives inside her own mind, where her thoughts are unnatural. She has a list that explains the meaning of high school.
THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.
As Melinda starts her first year of high school, she seems like from the start, she already disliked it. Melinda thinks her teachers are weird by how their appearance, how the cafeteria is separated by groups, or how her old friends are not friends they use to be. As Melinda and her friend Heather thinks about joining a club, Melinda was careless. Melinda thinks clubs are stupid and a waste of time. Heather asks, "What are your goals, Mel?" Melinda responds, "My goal is to go home and take a nap."
Quote
"We are nobody" (Anderson 34).
Reaction
As Heather talks about wanting to join the musical, Melinda thinks otherwise. Melinda said, "We are nobody," which means that the people who doesn't have a purpose in school has no meaning in school. Heather bursts out crying because of how high school has changed her life. Melinda thinks her life as being a "nobody" as she is an outcast in school.
It is the start of the First Marking Period. The first morning of high school, Merryweather High. The school is separated by clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. But Melinda Sordino is an outcast. High school for Melinda is different in ways that she doesn't respond to anyone, or ignore the people around her environment. Melinda lives inside her own mind, where her thoughts are unnatural. She has a list that explains the meaning of high school.
THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.
As Melinda starts her first year of high school, she seems like from the start, she already disliked it. Melinda thinks her teachers are weird by how their appearance, how the cafeteria is separated by groups, or how her old friends are not friends they use to be. As Melinda and her friend Heather thinks about joining a club, Melinda was careless. Melinda thinks clubs are stupid and a waste of time. Heather asks, "What are your goals, Mel?" Melinda responds, "My goal is to go home and take a nap."
Quote
"We are nobody" (Anderson 34).
Reaction
As Heather talks about wanting to join the musical, Melinda thinks otherwise. Melinda said, "We are nobody," which means that the people who doesn't have a purpose in school has no meaning in school. Heather bursts out crying because of how high school has changed her life. Melinda thinks her life as being a "nobody" as she is an outcast in school.
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