Laurie Halse Anderson Speak Analysis

Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Every year, over 300,000 victims are raped and sexually assaulted in the United States. Each one of these victims face emotional distraught for many years to come, including Melinda, the main character of Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel, Speak. However, at the end of the novel, Melinda resolves her internal conflict by speaking about her problems. Unfortunately, not enough people speak up about sexual abuse, however, victims of sexual assault can find the emotional and mental support they need just by stepping out of their comfort zone to speak up about their condition. Undoubtedly, speaking up helps people overcome difficult situations

There are those who believe speaking up does not help

For example, during Frederick Douglass’s speech on women’s suffrage, she states, “They are seen in the steady growth and onward march of the movement, and they will be seen in the final triumph of woman’s cause, not only in this country, but throughout the world” (Text 3). This quote explains that during the Women’s Rights Movement in the U.S., women stepped up and voiced their complaints about the lack of women’s rights, and it has resulted in significant reforms to better balance gender equality. This supports the point because as the voices of several women resulted in a major change in American society for the better.

In conclusion, speaking up helps people overcome difficult situations. Even though speaking up to the wrong people can make things worse, it can be avoided by choosing your friends carefully. Additionally, the benefits of speaking up greatly outweigh the risks of speaking, as it allows others to help, and to see that there are others who are in the same situation as you. In addition, it has been shown in history that speaking up works. If no one spoke up, we would have less freedom in a country with unequal