Erin P.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms When a verbal yes is not given, a sexual act is be considered rape. Melinda was intoxicated and showed her dissent when Andy Evans started to take things farther. It is shown in the text how Melinda even gave a verbal no. Melinda was raped, and Andy must be convicted.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

@Lizzoloopy #tollgvms I agree with this!When listening 2 reply, you don't really care about the other side, whereas when u listen to understand, u are trying to connect with the other person to better understand them & sympathize more. U are trying 2 see their side rather than just your own.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms Listening to reply is when the person isn't very present. They are only waiting to add their own input, because to them, the other side doesnt matter. Listening to understand, however, is more about the other person than yourself. You want to hear what they have to say.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms Both Melinda and Mr F are misunderstood b/c of their quirks, but are able to understand each other through their shared passion of art and awareness of each others' pain."Some teachers rumorwhisper he's having a breakdown. I think he's the sanest person I know" (104).

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms When Melinda's parents noticed she was self-harming, they did not realize how much pain she was going through and neglected her rather than help her. They should have shown support for her rather than denying her suffering and telling her she was childish and weak.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms Parents should always provide support and love for their children. To do that, communication is essential. Openly talking about issues they are facing will allow for better understanding of each other and stronger relationships, which in turn lead to reliable support.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms America should not close its borders entirely, but having open, free borders is not ideal either. It is important to have balance between freedom and control in order to ensure security but not oppression.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms Just like Melinda, Maya Angelou was sexually assaulted in her childhood and traumatized from the experience. However, she was able to get over the trauma and rise to become an amazing figure. Maya's story may inspire Melinda to overcome her own challenges and rise too.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

@SmithourTimothy #tollgvms A2: Woah this is great, it's super creepy and does a great job of showing how messed up Andy is. Have you thought about what makes Andy see her as frail though? What about Melinda do you think makes her more vulnerable to Andy than any other girls?

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

@Haylie24293620 #tollgvms A7:This is a great point,I never noticed how Melinda does not have a good relationship with her parents.Remember when she said her parents would fight over the paint color on her walls or how they fought over her grades?Do you think the fighting contributes to her pain?

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A8:We see Melinda's struggle when she bites her lip, isolates herself, when her grades drop, & through her pessimistic attitude.The people in her life fail to see past the grudge they hold against her,or they are too self absorbed to notice her; they don't care enough.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A7(2): times. Melinda always walks alone, and she mentions in "The First 10 Lies They Tell You in High School" that even teachers and guidance counselors aren't really there for you (Anderson 5-6). She feels completely and utterly alone, just as Pink did in her song.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A7: Pink is also experiencing a downfall after a traumatic event, being her parents' divorce,as Melinda is after her assault. "No teachers/Or guidance/You always walk alone" (Pink 9-11) relates directly to Melinda's feeling of aloneness as she gets through these hard

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A6:Melinda is targeted for reporting the party, and the assault itself is a touchy topic. No one will understand even if she does say something.Also, as IT continues to abuse her, she may be afraid of possible repercussions.Her PTSD makes it even harder to communicate.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A5:Although both changed greatly and no longer match, Melinda and Rachel's lack of communication contributed more to their downfall. Rachel does not understand Melinda, which makes her unsympathetic. Melinda's isolation makes it hard to invest in a relationship at all.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A4: Melinda self harms by biting her lip to the point of bleeding, as a result of her holding herself in. Self harm distracts her from her emotional distress, and helps her to hide her emotions. It controls her pain by directing her to a more bearable source of pain.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A3:"My room belongs to an alien. It is a postcard of who I was in the fifth grade"(Anderson 15). Melinda's room reflects her childish past self. Since the assault, she has left that self. Throughout the novel,Melinda will continue to mature and overcome her challenges.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A2: I see her in the hallway. She is alone. I may be her nightmare, but she is my dream. I smile and wink. I savor the look of disgust on her face. I own her now. I will devour her until there is nothing left. I will stop at nothing.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

#tollgvms A1: No one is there for me.

[Erin P. @erinPfsusd]

Grades are not the only proof of one's self worth; neither are they accurate representations of intelligence or skill. However, many students, parents, and teachers treat them as if they are. Grades only cause unnecessary stress and deter enthusiasm and motivation. #tollgvms