1. Analyze Melinda's reaction to the first day of high school and why her fears seem more intense than that of others. Analyze why she says, "I am Outcast."
Melinda's reaction to the first day of high school was a little abnormal. She has no friends at all and everyone around her is in a clan or clique which she has nothing. Her fears are more intense because unlike the others, she has no one so she has to in a way be more careful with the choices she makes because she is all alone and to her it's like everyone has their eyes on her ready for her to do something stupid. She doesn't know where to sit in the auditorium because again she has no friends and plain and simple its hard when you have no one to support you. To be an outcast is to be without friends, be different, look/act weird, etc. I think Melinda feels this way because of the fact that all of her friends want nothing to do with her.
2. Examine the meanings of the "clans" and the prevalence of high school cliques. Why do we sometimes not like people who are really good at things, like sports, music, art, or school? Is this fair? Are adults like this?
Clan- A group of people who have simalar interests. Like a clique. High school cliques are all about grouping kids together. For example: if you are in a sport then your known as a jock.Sometimes people who do something better than you can, can make you angry. This is true because someone might want to sing but can't so they will secretly hate the person that can. It's not fair but I guess this is life. Adults can sometimes be like this. For example when they are fighting for a promotion or something along those lines.
3. Discuss the "first ten lies they tell you in high school." Compare with your first day. So you think Melinda's assumption that they are "lies"is valid?
The "first ten lies they tell you in high school" dont really apply to me. Melinda may feel this way because of her current state of mind.
4. Examine Melinda's characterization of the teachers. What do these descriptions reflect?
Melinda's characterization of the teachers is how she feels they are. She catergorizes the teachers into clans.
5. Discuss Mr. Freeman's approach to teaching art. Have you had similar experiences in classes with this type of teaching style?
Mr.Freeman doesn't teach the students' he lets them loose to see what they come up with. Similar experiences - a teacher gives you an asssignment to see what you can do because sometimes students only show their true self in their work.
6. Discuss Melinda's home life. How does communication break down in Melinda's family? What could each person do to improve it? If you were a parent, how would communication be in your family?
Melinda's home life is that no one really communicates to each other. It's more scream until someone listens kind of thing. If I were the parent, I would make sure my child knew that I was their for them no matter what. I would always be there to listen.
7. Discuss the interaction between Melinda and Heather. Are they friends? What brings them together?
Melinda and Heather at first aren't the best of friends. THey become friends after a while when they both don't belong to groups.
8. Are we sometimes different people on the outside than we are in the inside? How? Why is this true, do you think?
Sometimes people can act a certain way to fit into a clique or clan just so they are acepted. For example, someone could act really good at a sport just to fit in with the jocks, but on the inside they really like to draw but if they joined the art club they would be permantly a freak for the rest of the year.
