The Merryweather Whats? Speak Lindsey Dawkins

         Melinda doesn’t know who she is. Or rather, she knows that she is “outcast” but what does that mean (4)? The dictionary definition of outcast says that it is someone who is rejected, an outsider, a pariah. Google also says that some synonyms for outcast are, “the black sheep” or “the red-headed step child”. While these informal synonyms are more harmful than the term outcast, they all convey the same meaning – the only idea about identity that Melinda possesses is that she’s different than everybody else, and that isn’t a good thing. She begins the school year with a “skirt [she] hate[s], and a stomachache” (3). Her mindset is skewed, and rightly so, considering the atrocious crimes committed against her. Melinda’s journey to herself is documented in the novel in a few different ways, and their development is the most interesting part of the novel for me.      

Melinda is the tree and the tree is Melinda. We can trace the development of Melinda by watching how her artwork develops. Mr. Freeman alludes to the metaphor by welcoming Melinda to her “journey” (12).  We watch as Melinda struggles with making her tree work. The tree reflects how Melinda feels throughout the novel. Right after Melinda makes the comments about cheerleaders and “group-rate abortions” she describes how she is painting trees that “have been hit by lightning” (30). Her anger and bitterness shows up in her tree. When Melinda’s Thanksgiving goes awry, she creates the sculpture that Ivy calls “scary, in a weird way.” (64) It is also the first time an adult somewhat validates Melinda’s struggle. Mr. Freeman mentions that the sculpture “has meaning” and that it includes “pain” (65). By the time Melinda has found her voice, her tree has found its medium, also. Melinda says “my tree is definitely breathing – little shallow breaths” (196). I think this metaphor is powerful because it allows the reader to take the journey with Melinda. She works hard to find herself, and her art mimics her journey. It resonates with readers because I think it provides a crystal clear image of self-discovery, a key component of adolescent development, even to those who may have not experienced any sort of pain like Melinda’s.

Melinda isn’t the only one who doesn’t know who she is. MerryWeather High doesn’t know who she is, either. The school changes mascots every marking period. Melinda spends so much time sticking people into categories predetermined by a social environment that can’t even decide what to call itself. She locks herself away in her closet to get away from everyone, but in reality, the entire school is having an identity crisis. The adults can’t come to an agreement on what to call the school. I think that this could be interpreted in a lot of different ways, but I choose to look at it as Anderson making a comment on how names, categories, clans, are hard to pin down and even harder to stay in. If the entire high school as one entity can’t manage it, how can we expect a 14 year old to do it?

I think that this novel is a powerful yet painful read. I felt Melinda’s pain the entire way through the novel. It was hard, as an adult, to read. However, I can imagine that if I were a lost, scared, depressed teenager, I might find strength in Melinda, and make it through another day. I think that this book particularly possesses the ability to connect to someone who might really need a foothold.