Laurie Halse Anderson Analysis

“Dad: [Bangs table, silverware jumps] ‘Cut the crap. She knows what’s up. The interim reports came today. Listen to me, young lady. I’m only going to say this once. You get those grades up or your name is mud. Hear me? Get them up!’ [Attacks baked potato.] Mom: [annoyed at being upstaged] ‘I’ll handle this. Melinda. [She smiles. Audience shudders] We’re not asking for much, dear. We just want you to do your best. And we know your best is much better than this. You tested so well, dear. Look at me when I talk to you.’” Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson

In both Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and in our daily lives, authority is a major factor. Authority, the right to give orders or enforce obedience, is used nearly daily in classrooms, homes, and even jobs. The

At least one person exhibiting authority is seen each day, One form of authority that everyone is familiar with is parental authority. When you are born, your parents believed to be given authority over you immediately, their authority is intended to teach their children who is in charge of them and to overall maintain order in the child’s life. Simple orders like parents instructing you to do your homework or to go to bed is them dictating rightfully. Without a guardian's authority our sense of right and wrong would be seriously altered. In Speak this is seen in most dialogue between Melinda Sordino and her parents, though her parents may be exhibiting and enforcing their authority in more harsh ways, they’re using their authority to try and help Melinda. Telling her to get her grades up, asking her to speak, making the