The Importance Of Family In Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak

In the novel Speak written by Laurie Halse Anderson the readers are introduced to Melinda Sordino, a freshman in high school who is suffering at the hands of another student. It is clear that through out the story that Melinda’s family is dysfunctional. Throughout the book Melinda’s parents do not hear her desperate cries for the help she so desperately needs. This is shown through the way the family interacts with each other, how Melinda’s parents respond to her signs of deep suffering, and how they handle the drastic changes in Melinda after experiencing such a traumatic event.
After being raped by Andy Evans Melinda’s life begins to spiral out of control, but it is clear that her home life was not typical even before the incident. In the novel its shown that Melinda believes that her parents are in an unhappy
Melinda’s parents took little notice to this often yelling at her for her failing grades and her attitude not thinking anything was wrong. When meeting with the principle Melinda’s mother says, “She just jerking us around to get attention.” (pg.144) as a response for her failing grades and not speaking. Meanwhile in Melinda’s mind she wonders, “Would you listen? Would you believe me? Fat chance.” (pg.144) Although Melinda’s father suspects something is wrong he does little to act on it.
In final analysis Melinda’s parents provide little support for their daughter. To concerned with their own lives and problems they do not see their daughter being a victim at the hands of another student. Refusing to see what was wrong with her left Melinda abandon forced to face what had happened to her alone without the support of her family. All in all, Melinda’s parents neglected to see what was really wrong with her denying her the help she needed to overcome what Andy Evans had done to