Thirteen Reasons Why- character analysis

Alex Standall in Thirteen Reasons Why Throughout Jay Asher’s novel Thirteen Reasons Why, he has demonstrated to the reader how one’s inability to make rational decisions can lead to another individual’s suicide. Over the course of the novel, the reader follows the events in the life of the protagonist, Hannah Baker that have led to her tragic suicide. One can argue that secondary character, Alex Standall plays a significant role in the story, and in Hannah Baker’s suicide, as none of the events would have occurred had it not been for Alex’s list. To begin with, like Hannah Baker, Alex Standall is a new student at Crestmont high school. The two immediately become friends, alongside Jessica Davis. Arguably, Alex can be described as a cruel, sneaky boy, who is very close-minded. The reason why Alex is on Hannah’s list of people, who contributed to her suicide is because of a list he created in their freshman year. Alex’s “who’s hot/who’s not” list was supposed to be a way of getting back at his ex-girlfriend, Jessica Davis. Alex placed Hannah’s name for the “best ass in freshman year.” This shows that Alex will do anything to get revenge making him a very vengeful, impulsive decision maker. As Hannah states “Okay. I just looked over every name- every story- that completes these tapes. And guess what. Every single event documented here may never have happened had you, Alex not written my name on that list” (Asher Page 41). This clearly shows that Alex contributed to all that occurred in Hannah’s life. Hannah believes that if Alex was capable of seeing the impact of the list on her life, he would not have created the list and as a result none of the tragic events (including her suicide) would have occurred. Additionally, as Hannah Baker said herself “It gives people- some people- the go-ahead to treat you like nothing but that specific body part” (Asher Page 44). By putting her name on that