Hi! This is Tina again, and I’m going to share my reflection on the following chapters. And this will be the final reflection on 13 reasons why, too.
Reading to the end, I gradually figured out the whole story. The reasons, stories connected with each other one by one as the tapes playing. As Hannah mentioned, rumors, jokes, and misunderstandings became bigger and bigger as the butterfly effect. The things which seemed small combined with each other and then getting bigger.
As saying goes, it’s the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. To Hannah, the last straw are Mr. Porter and Clay. For Mr. Porter, a counselor, I personally thought he was too careless. The note that suggested him to discuss “Suicide” in class and the talk with Hannah were clues for him to know there were something wrong on his students. However, these were all afterword. Since they didn’t find out that Hannah needed help, they didn’t give her a hand in time. As a teacher and counselor, Mr. Porter must want to help her, but sometimes, it is hard for students to reveal all the things to teacher or seniors. So, until Hannah died, they finally knew the reason. On the other hand, clay didn’t insist to stay when Hannah asked him to leave, which let him lose the chance to help and understand her. Reading to this, I considered it as a reminder for me to be concerned about people around myself. It is important to show your concern, love and care in time. No one know what the world it is in the next second. Avoiding regretting, cherish every person that appeared in one’s world and cherish every moment to stay together.
The bad things happened on her one by one which damaged her reputation. Even though she knew that was not her, she ran out of strength to fight back. Just like what she said, “How could I tell someone—someone I was really talking to for the first time—everything I was thinking?” Sometimes, we were too shy. Sometimes, the occasion didn’t fit. So, we lost the opportunity to ask for help. And sometimes, this could lead to awful consequence, like Hannah. In my opinion, asking for help wasn’t a shame, but a relief. A relief for ourselves. No one could deal with everything on their own, and that’s why we needed friends, family, and someone we loved. It wasn’t meaning to show our weakness on them but it will a chance to tie us up.
Besides, I like the way the author arranged
the story. Using Italic for Hannah’s recording in the tapes helps readers to
distinguish the content in the tapes with others. I think this is an effective
way to let readers know what’s going on in a short time, which is also
creative, comparing with using “Hannah said in the tape, …”. Writing it
directly will be so boring and repeating the same sentences for too many times
will annoy the readers. Also, there are some icons between lines, like pause
and stop. (Picture below) Although there are none of the illustration in this
book, readers can still visualize the words in their minds thanks to the icons.
In my opinion, these two are just suitable for the content. Not too many, but
enough to make it better.
This book is so inspiring and worthy reading. Teenagers always did something stupid and hurt others accidentally. For many, teenagers in this period are the most childish and unable to guess. It is hard for teachers and parents to teach them the principles and rules. I think this book can be a good material to remind them that being careful on your behavior and words, or the consequence might be horrible.
As a conclusion, I want to encourage all of you and myself to ask, “How are you recently?” to people around us. As the disease and technology bring the relationship far away, we seldom have spare to be concerned about those around us. But remember, just a simple question can send our concern and give warmth and happiness to them! I’ll be the first one to begin.
How are you recently?
OMG Tina you're just reading toooo fast. I can hardly catch up with you and I finally give up lol. It's a shame that I can't read through all of your reflection bc the "spoil alert". But it's still great to read through your thoughts about this book. And yes, I've been doing fine. I wish I could always be in this shape but it's just not going to happen. How about you? Are you doing fine by now?
ReplyDeleteHello, Tina! After reading all of your reflections on this book, I am still interested in this book even if I have known a lot of plots. In this blog, I like your viewpoint that “asking for help wasn’t a shame, but a relief.” Indeed, no one can deal with everything on their own, especially emotional aspects. But what can we as a friend, a family member, or a lover do to help people surrounding us? Maybe most people will answer “care.” But from my perspective, care sometimes is not enough because most people are not willing to show themselves completely. However, in the meanwhile, I do think attitude and the way we talk to him or her should be crucial. What we should do is make people feel relaxed when talking to us and without any pressure. In this way, there is a possibility for them to express something deep in their minds.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, you mentioned that “teenagers always did something stupid and hurt others accidentally.” Based on my personal experience, I consider that some teenagers, especially junior high school students, not only are childish but also lack such knowledge of what “restriction” of behavior is. They occasionally do something bad excessively without self-awareness. Hence, it reminds me of the important roles of parents and teachers. Their responsibility and influence cannot be overemphasized.
Also, my answer to your last question is “nothing special.” And are you alright?
Hi, Tina.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love your conclusion about the question. As a careless person just like you mentioned in this blog, I barely pay attention to how I myself feel. Sometimes there is sadness, happiness, or stress. They all always slips away within a few days. So it is kinda seldom for me to be in need of a company to complain or something. However, I usually to be the one to do hearing from others. I often listen to my friends' complaint about troubles and something sucks in their daily lives. I think I am kind of pro to be a listener. So undoubtedly, I know more about the importance of this position. When my friends telling me about something unhappy and stressed, I tend to stay silent and do nothing but listening, for I know the company they need is not a analyst or a leader, but a listener, who can understand them. Moreover, it is more important when it comes to a more sensitive person. I also believe that some small concern and question could mean a lot more for them than we know. Then I guess I should ask, how are you recently, Tina?