Thirteen Reasons Why: Cassette 1, Side 1 & 2
*Spoiler Warning: Though I don’t get into TONS of plot details, I’m not trying to write a “read this book please” account, but an account of the elements that would help me decide whether this book is appropriate for middle-schoolers“
Side 1
Likes: We really start to know our suicide victim and our narrator
Dislikes: Even with the type-style changes, it’s hard for my mind to switch back and forth between Clay’s mind/actions and Hannah’s monologue. I’m unsure whether I might eventually like this. I’m fairly certain we’re only going to get to know Clay through the filter of Hannah. It won’t be a complete Clay, most likely, but will it be enough of Clay for us?
Social Issues: first kisses; rumors; suicide; guilt & blame; parties; friendship
Questionable material: a tad bit sexually explicit in a couple of areas, but not gratuitously
Passage I loved:
Hannah’s voice: I know what you’re thinking. As I was telling the story, I was thinking the same thing myself. A kiss? A rumor based on a kiss made you do this to yourself?
No a rumor based on a kiss ruined a memory that I hoped would be special. A rumor based on a kiss started a reputation that other people believed in and reacted to. And sometimes a rumor based on a kiss has a snowball effect.
A rumor based on a kiss, is just the beginning.
Side 2
Likes: Not much (though the writing is good)
Dislikes: See “tirade”
Questionable material: objectification of women
Social issues: objectification of women; “Hot or Not” lists
Tirade: Okay, at this point I’m getting a tad frustrated. Yes, our actions affect others. But ultimately, the only one responsible for our actions are ourselves. I’m hoping there’s going to be some resolution about that fact or I won’t be able to recommend this book to anyone. Sometimes we can’t control our emotions, that’s human. However, we areresponsible for controlling our actions. Though anyone at an emotional point to want to commit suicide isn’t exactly mentally healthy or fully mentally capable and thus, maybe not entirely culpable, I’m not liking how much focus is being placed on projecting blame and, thus, Hanna’s decision seems beyond her control.
I don’t think teenagers need any more reasons to push off responsibility. “Oh, she called me a bad name, so it’s really HER fault that I’m choosingto start a vicious rumor.” “Well he told the guys in the locker room that he wanted to kiss my girlfriend, so it’s HIS fault, I chose to key his car.” “They always make fun of me, so it’s THEY’RE fault I chose to bring a gun to class.”
We have a soft spot for the tormented and our natural tendency (as adults) to want to side with them has US blaming the tormentors as catalysts for the actions of the tormented. But if we let the underdogs get away with blaming others and shirking responsibility for their actions, how can we expect the tormentors not to do the same thing? Are they ACTUALLY better than the underdogs? They’re superhuman and thus the poor little tormented ones had no choice but to torment back?
After all, aren’t the tormentors almost always tormentees to another group of tormentors anyway?
That’s a hard truth to understand, even as an adult. So I’m not expecting Archer to preach to his audience here. But I think he walks a fine line, ready to tip over the edge of enabling and validating the negative actions of youth because “someone else made them.”
The healthiest thing for students to learn (and one of the hardest) is we are only and can only be responsible for our own actions. We should treat others with respect and dignity. We should not only think of ourselves, but others as well, and generally, thinking of them first will end up best in the long run. We should always remember that what we do DOES affect other people and that we can either help or harm.
We should also remember that not everyone is healthy, and I don’t mean physically. There are going to be people who are not emotionally or mentally healthy enough to take responsibility for themselves. But, while we should be sensitive to our actions with this type of person (as with all people), their actions are still their responsibility, not ours, whether they can handle it or not.
Guilt can be good. It can lead to change and change can be healthy. But feeling guilt over something completely out of your control, the chosen action of someone else, can simply become debilitating. It’s pointless and unhealthy to dwell on.
Okay, sorry, tirade over. I hope to be able to tell you this resolves itself.
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