Laurie Halse Anderson Isolation

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Chocked by the weight of unspoken words, silence is suffocating. In the novel “Speak,” Laurie Halse Anderson demonstrates how the combination of trauma and a lack of childhood can cause a myriad of psychological obstacles. Throughout the novel, we see how Melinda’s continuous isolation stems from her parents discouraging demeanor, and how her struggles are amplified by PTSD and a lack of comfort.

Firstly, Melinda’s childhood was marked by isolation, made worse by her parents’ consistent neglect and lack of emotional support. When Melinda’s grades begin to slip, her parents are enraged, though not because of the damage to her mental well being, but because of the potential threat to their reputations (Halse Anderson 34). This scene reflects
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