Characters
Mr. Freeman. He urges her to use her artistic side to channel emotions to create something- anything.
What happens when Melinda goes to MISS?
Andy shows up and when Mr. Neck isn't looking, he blows in Melinda's ear.
What is a symbol?
a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
What is peer pressure?
Peer pressure occurs when a peer/ peer group exerts direct or indirect pressure to do certain actions.
Peer pressure can not only bring about changes in behavior, but also thoughts, opinions, and feelings.
What does Melinda use to hurt Andy at the end of the novel? Why is this ironic?
She uses a piece of broken mirror. This is ironic because she has hated looking in mirrors the entire novel due to her appearance BECAUSE of Andy, yet it winds up being the thing that potentially saves her from him.
How would you characterize Heather? Why?
Answers may vary
What does David tell Melinda is inconsistent about her presentation on suffragettes?
She did a presentation on woman speaking up for their rights, however in her presentation, she does not speak up at all which is the opposite of the purpose of her topic.
What symbol does Melinda refer to herself as throughout the novel and why?
A bunny rabbit. This is because she feels like the prey of a larger animal, Andy. She scurries and moves fast when she sees him just like a small animal would do in the presence of a larger animal.
What is the difference between active and passive peer pressure?
-ACTIVE peer pressure describes a situation where a person tries to convince someone else to do something.
-PASSIVE peer pressure refers to modeled or mimicked behavior.
Who winds up finding Andy and Melinda at the end of novel? How?
Nicole and the lacrosse team hear her from the closet. They knock and she unlocks it and when they see what's happening, someone runs to get help.
What is David Petrakis' role in the novel?
What was the result of Melinda writing on the bathroom stall?
Her inability to speak about what happened that night and the damage it's caused that contribute to her being "damaged".
What is the difference between positive and negative peer pressure?
-POSITIVE is when the pressure has a beneficial effect on the person and is good for their mental or physical health.
-NEGATIVE is when the pressure leads someone to do something that goes against their morals or hurts them in some way.
Why is the last section called "Final Cut"?
It is the last chapter of the text where Melinda finishes the final cuts of her tree that she has been working on all school year.
How does Melinda's family dynamic contribute to her distrust in adults?
Her parents do not have a good relationship but in a way "fake" it for the sake of her. She doesn't trust them in fact doesn't try to understand them for the simple fact that they don't try to understand her.
She looks around and sees that people are actually sick and there's nothing wrong with her and feels a little guilty about putting the gown on and pretending.
What does Melinda's closet represent ?
Her inability to socialize or find herself in a "group". She uses this closet to shut everyone out and ultimately symbolized her loneliness in such a crowded space.
Read the example below.
Rachel doesn't want to go to Chipotle because she's on a strict diet. Jackie gets mad at her and tells her that she promised her she would go and it's mean she doesn't want to go anymore. Rachel feels bad and decides to go to make Jackie happy.
Is this active or passive? Why
Is this positive or negative? Why
It's active because Jackie is telling her it's mean she doesn't want to go and her words are making Rachel feel guilty about not going.
It's negative because Rachel is on a diet trying to get in shape and eating Chipotle won't be good for her diet.
Melinda often reminisces about childhood. What does this say about Melinda?
Melinda's childhood memories indicate that Melinda was once happy, but now is not. Her reminiscences show her attention to identity and identity change. To Melinda, these identity changes have mostly been negative. There are also times when Melinda wishes to protect her friends from this change. When she sees Rachel kissing Andy Evans, Melinda upsets herself by remembering when she and Rachel were kids. Because Melinda has so far found adolescence so painful, she has a hard time letting go of her childhood and the better times compared to her current situation.
Why is Ivy important to Melinda's growth in the novel?
(answers may vary but may include)
-gives Melinda hope about her art
-makes Melinda feel like she has someone there by being kind and supportive
-doesn't judge her based on her feelings about Andy
Describe Melinda and Rachel's written conversation in the library.
They are talking and giggling a little too loudly so they begin to write back and forth. Melinda asks if she's still mad and Rachel writes no, in which Melinda then explains why she did what she did. Rachel acts very concerned and upset until Melinda tells her who. Rachel then calls her a liar and jealous "little freak" out loud, and storms out of the library.
What role does nature have in the text?
(answers will vary but may include)
-Melinda's tree that she draws throughout the school year becomes a type of outlet for expression
-The dead tree's branches are cut down down by her house which somewhat symbolizes her own "dead branches" she begins to shed as well
-The plant unit in class has her relate to the process of germination and the idea that she wants to change and begin to grow
answers may vary
What is the climax of the story?
When Melinda fights back and yells no during the second rape attempt in the closet.