13 Reasons Why

I want to begin by saying that I'm a strong supporter of the novel and show 13 Reasons Why. I know that it has sparked controversy for a wide variety of reasons (and I agree with a lot of points people have brought up) but I think I ultimately have examined the book/show in a different view that allows me to overlook some of these points or otherwise be flexible about the show's representation.

I've noticed among my peers for years that they develop really strong attachments to characters in books and shows. This strangely intimate attachment makes people "take things personally" a lot of the time. It also seems to make people treat/form opinions about/analyze characters as if they are real life people they interact with. While all of this makes sense on one level, I've found that my way of analyzing characters is very detached. I don't think about how I would feel if a friend did something or acted like a book character-at least not in the realm of how it would affect me personally. I look at how characters interact in a really objective manner. While some people judge characters for acting a certain way I kind of just objectively examine their strengths/weaknesses as well as their motivations, personality, and how their actions affect others. 

For this reason I really enjoyed the Netflix adaptation of the book more than the book itself. The show has the benefit of showing a variety of perspectives and the aftermath of what happens to each of the characters from the tapes. You also get to see the parents' and teachers' roles more fleshed out. Overall I think while the show took lots of liberties with the novel every single change they made I LOVED. For example, in the book Justin and Jessica are more "hooking up"/"flirting" at the party. In the show they writers decide to make their relationship more fully formed. They had been dating for two months the night of the party. I also love that they make them stay together to show how Justin is trying to protect Jessica. I think the show has so much merit in that it shows the characters on the tapes in a more complex light. You really get to see which characters are more sympathetic and how the tapes have had a negative effect on them. You see how in some cases Hannah does overreact and is a weak character. In my opinion the book paints Hannah in a more be all end all light where her version of the truth is the only one there is. I think the fact that Clay is so wishy-washy and kicking himself over her death helps to pronounce this perspective in the novel. 

The show adds SO SO much depth to every character, even Clay, who lacks depth in the novel. For example, Justin becomes extremely sympathetic. He definitely made a mistake when he showed the picture of Hannah to his friends but in the show you see how his friends are really encouraging him and it's actually Bryce who sends the picture out. Then again in his second tape you can see how he tries to protect Jessica. He clearly fears Bryce; he breaks down crying in the hallway while the rape goes on. After the tapes come out he continues to try his hardest to control the narrative and protect Jessica. In my opinion she may have been better off never knowing the truth about the rape. The show does a fantastic job of showing how once those tapes are out Jessica has an inkling of doubt about Justin's story and already wonders if Hannah's story is true. As the show continues you see a very linear, dramatic mental deterioration of Jessica. She is extremely doubtful Justin's story is true and she clearly wants to control her body again after the rape. She does this by constantly trying to have sex with Justin who is clearly too traumatized and guilty about letting her get raped to continue having sex with her. He also starts to shy away from drugs and slowly becomes an outcast in his own social circle. Meanwhile Jessica begins to drink more and more. By the end of the series she starts acting really crazy. She wants to break the lightbulb in the theater and Justin keeps on trying to behave and keep a low profile. She eventually breaks down and you can see that she has accepted that Bryce really did rape her. When Justin leaves she continues to try to take control of the situation by purposefully going off the smoke with Bryce and be alone with him. She even goes so far as to take out her dad's guns. 

Almost every character except Bryce who is clearly the most damnable on the tapes has more depth to them. Alex also becomes extremely sympathetic. Again, he made a mistake by creating the Best/Worst list but he didn't intend for the list to cause that much turmoil in Hannah's life. He clearly regrets ever making it and becomes depressed after Hannah's suicide. By the end of the Netflix series he's shot himself in the head. Some other sympathetic characters are Ryan, Zach, and Jenny/Sheri. Ryan again makes a kind of jerk move but you can see (even moreso in the show) that it's a part of his personality to be bold like that. He wanted others to appreciate Hannah's poem. He wasn't acting with her feelings in mind and he was selfish but compared to Bryce he's much more sympathetic. Zach, again, makes a jerk move. However, he clearly didn't intend to drive Hannah to suicide. 

I think the most interesting, telling dimension that the show added was this concept of controlling the narrative. What each individual character did gives you some insight into their ethics and personality but seeing the aftermath really shows you where their morals are at. Most of the characters attempt to control the narrative for their own benefit. Some might become angered at that (the characters who aren't controlling the narrative certainly do) but I find that even those trying to control the narrative for their benefit are sympathetic. For example, Justin tries to control the narrative in part to protect Bryce but mostly to protect Jessica. Courtney is hell-bent on controlling the story because she's afraid to be outed as gay. Tyler wants to make others his scape goat. Since he's already an outcast and since he hates Bryce he wants to sacrifice Bryce to save himself and everyone else. Marcus is concerned about his reputation becomes he's on track to become valedictorian. Zach also needs to control his reputation for sports scholarships. Jenny/Sheri is just plain terrified of what will happen if the truth comes out. She's clearly extremely guilty about knocking down the stop sign (especially because of Jeff). Alex and Ryan are the too characters who are trying the least to control the narrative. You can tell Ryan still stands by his decision to publish the poem. He's angry to be considered "as bad as a rapist." In the beginning of the show Alex lets the jocks control him but by the end of the show he's so mentally broken himself that he just wants to say "F it" and shout the truth from the rooftops. This is made apparent in their meeting in Monet's at the end of the show were Alex and Ryan repeatedly call Bryce a rapist when no one had had the nerve to actually say it out loud. 

Overall, I think the show creates an extremely authentic portrayal of what would actually happen in the aftermath of the tapes' release. You get a very clear picture of a variety of outcomes with the characters-some become worried and controlling and take charge of the story to save themselves, others become overwhelmed with guilt, others begin acting out, others become depressed...

I also think the story gives an authentic portrayal of Mr. Porter and Ms. Bradley. Ms. Bradley clearly feels guilty about not acting on the note she received and not noticing signs of suicide among Hannah. Mr. Porter feels similarly. I think Mr. Porter could've said some things better when Hannah came to his office but I ultimately don't think Mr. Porter is to blame. Hannah didn't meet him halfway and Mr. Porter tried to get information from her. If I were in his position I'd probably tread carefully and slowly too instead of immediately calling the police or something. I don't even know what Hannah wanted from him. All in all I would love to teach this novel except for the fact that I probably wouldn't be allowed to show the series in class. In my opinion the novel is flat without the series. It brings up some creative ideas but these are so much more fully fleshed out in the show. 

Side note: This show does an incredible job of showing diversity. Both Jessica, Sheri, and Marcus are African American. Courtney and Zach are Asian. Tony is hispanic. Courtney, Ryan, and Tony are gay. Courtney is raised by two gay men. Jessica and Justin are in an interracial relationship. Mr. Porter is African American while Ms. Bradley is Asian. Both Alex and Justin are played by gay actors. So no matter your opinion of the show it certainly does a good job showing diversity.