1. HUM 3285: Postmodern Adolescent Literature
From silence to action
HUM 3285: Postmodern Adolescent Literature
Spring 2012
Dr. Perdigao
February 13, 2012

2. Not Bella

3. Speaking Out

4. SYMBOLISM! English class (100) Code breaking
“It’s all about SYMBOLISM”
( ) reading The Scarlet Letter—meaning behind SYMBOLISM; Melinda
as Hester
Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

5. Identity in Flux
(141) school’s “lack of identity,” call for “consistency, stability”
(144) Alice in Wonderland
(152-3) Her phases in art—Confused: Spaz: Dead: as yet undefined
(165) Wants to return to Neighborhood of Make-Believe
(178) “Another alternate-reality moment brought to you by Adolescence!” to Heather with her version of the story

6. Finding a Voice
(159) David emphasizes importance of speech, standing up for oneself
(175) Writes list with Andy’s name
(183) Writes what happened to Rachel
crosses out “hurt” and writes “raped”
(185) Reads other girls’ writing
(187) Pruning tree so dead branches are removed (like skin grafting Melinda wants)
Melindagirl as seed to grow
(194) He tells her she won’t scream, then with mirror shard at throat, he cannot speak
(195) Tries to get the tree right; bruises are vivid but will fade… Words float out. She finally speaks

7. Resolutions No grades (only A+ in Art)
(78) She tries to create a tree like the one in front of her house, thinks she’ll be an artist “if” she grows up
(191) High school as hazing activity: “If you are tough enough to survive this, they’ll let you become an adult”
(192) Wants to keep closet intact for other kids who might need a “safe place”
(153) Significance of scars
Post secret—in art and writing
Power of words, transform experience and self