Student Question

What does Melinda write on the bathroom wall in the book Speak?

Quick answer:

On the bathroom wall, Melinda writes, "Guys to Stay Away From: Andy Evans."

Expert Answers

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During art class, Melinda asks Mr. Freeman to allow her to go to the bathroom to clean her blouse after her classmate (and former friend) Ivy accidentally spilled marker ink on her shirt. Mr. Freeman allows her to leave but also sends Ivy after Melinda to make sure that she's okay and that she's still in the bathroom. Ivy joins Melinda in the bathroom and takes the shirt from her to scrub while Melinda sits on a toilet in a stall. To pass time, Melinda reads through all the gossip and graffiti written on the bathroom wall.

The girls then begin discussing Andy Evans, who Ivy earlier referred to as "trouble." When Melinda asks why she said that, Ivy says that Andy seems creepy and dangerous: “He has such a reputation. He’s only after one thing, and if you believe the rumors, he’ll get it, no matter what.” When Melinda...

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mentions that their mutual ex-friend Rachel is dating Andy, Ivy remarks that she's "stupid" for doing so. Though Ivy doesn't know that Andy raped Melinda, it makes Melinda feel better to hear someone else express that Andy is a bad person.

Melinda then asks for one of Ivy's markers and writes "Guys to Stay Away From" on the bathroom wall and adds only one name under it: Andy Evans. She shows Ivy to see what she wrote on the wall, and Ivy approves.

Melinda's choice to write on the wall is important because it signifies a new step in her healing process. Though she's still not ready to speak about her assault aloud, she is ready to put a warning to other girls in writing. This marks the first time Melinda has expressed outwardly—in any way—what Andy did to her. Later in the narrative, Ivy pulls Melinda back into the bathroom to show her the graffiti again. Added underneath Melinda's original warning are a bunch of messages and conversation threads from other girls who have had bad experiences with Andy. Learning that she is not the only person Andy has hurt makes Melinda feel validated and less alone.

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