Letter to Melinda

   Authors note: This piece is about how characters change throughout the story. In this piece I am writing a letter from adult Melinda to ninth grade Melinda telling her how much she has changed and how she helps others change in the future.

   Most people think that characters in a novel never change, but the ones who do believe that the character will change, the character never turns out how they expect. You can usually tell if a character is going to change by reading the first couple pages of the book where it introduces the main character then connect that to the title of the book. In the novel Speak, Melinda is the main character. In the beginning of the book she is described as a very quit person. Just by reading the title you know that she is going to speak.

   Dear Melinda,

   Hi, I’m writing you to let you know how much you have changed and how you help others in the future. You’re probably wondering who this is. Well I’m you in the future. You are a great person; you will accomplish lots of great things throughout high school. I know that Andy hurt you, it scares you to hear his name now but as you get older you will not fear him anymore. Well let me get to the point. As you grow older and after you tell your parents what happened to you and how Andy hurt you, you become the most admired girl in the high school.

   I am no longer scared to speak my mind. You have done so much great and creative things throughout high school. You became the president of student consol as a sophomore. When you where a junior you started helping other young girls who were like you in the ninth grade. You also helped young boys too. After you let the truth out about Andy you inspired all the other girls to have the strength and courage to reveal the abuse they were experiencing. You helped others realize that they didn’t deserve to be treated that way. You gave so much good advice to others.

   Your old friends Rachel/Rachelle and Ivy are your best friends again. It took them a while to understand your predicament, but they came through. You three graduated top of your class. You and Heather never became back friends. After a while she moved. 

   You are no longer scared to speak your mind. I am so proud of you for what you have done. You have made me a better person the person I am today!

Sincerely, Melinda