Thirteen Reasons Why
By Jay Asher
Character Analysis
In Jay Asher's novel Thirteen Reasons Why Hannah Baker is the protagonist.Even though she is dead I still felt sympathy for her throughout this story.Before she committed suicide she was just like any average teenage girl sweet, pretty, and funny.Hannah's goal was to complete her high school dreams the major one was finding love. Slowly by slowly she was exploring relationships at her own pace. Suddenly all of those dreams turned into conflicts she didn't want to face. "This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Do not take me for granted again[pg.10]." After doing some bad things throughout her middle school years Hannah became a big target for rumors and other things. Her three biggest conflicts were rumors,relationships, and respect. Most characters such as Courtney Crimson got close to Hannah by Hannah driving her to a party (personal servant) to find out about her secrets so she can spread rumors.After Hannah learned about this she felt deceived. "Yet the whole time Courtney was using me,probably thought she was polishing up her image in my eyes...backfire(pg.111)." Another major conflict is relationships. The reason Hannah has bad relationships is she never looks at the guys personality but their looks. For example after Hannah and Justin Foley had their first kiss he ended up spreading rumors that Hannah is a "slut". "Well what did you want to hear?...I have heard so may stories that I don't know which one is most popular...(pg.29)." The last conflict is respect. A huge problem with some of the boys in the story is that they never looked at Hannah's personality but at her body. "First Alex,if you think i'm being silly--if you think I'm just some stupid little girl...taking everything way to seriously...who cares if people around town know what you think of my, ass right[pg.37]." In conclusion Hannah Baker was an innocent girl just trying to find her place in the world.
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson (lyrics)
Rumors/Reputation
Biggest conflict in the story. Major reason why Hannah committed suicide :(. Started from middle school years.
Relationships
A major high school dream that Hannah had was finding her prince charming. Most of the boys she dated deceived her,sexually harassed her,or got closer to her to find out about her secrets. Another major dissapontment in Hannah's life.
Respect
Most guys that Hannah dated never looked at her personality but how her body was like or spied on her to know about her secrets.This shows they never respected Hannah as a women or rights of privacy. They thought she was a joke and wouldn't do anything about it.
How Characterization and Setting Advance the Plot in the Story
In the novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher setting and characterization advance the plot by showing what Hannah Baker's life was like before she committed suicide. For example, "throughout the tapes, I'll be mentioning several spots around our beloved city... If you would like a little bit of insight just head for the stars...or just throw the maps away I'll never know(pg.12)." It is evident that those several spots that Hannah was talking about was where her conflicts began. Also those places that she marked are the places where her reasons of committing suicide began. Another example is, "...More specifically why my life ended. If you are listening to these tapes your one of the reasons why(pg.7)." This shows that before Hannah committed suicide all these people were involved in life in some negative way. As you go on into the story Hannah explains how these 13 people ruined her life. In conclusion setting and characterization advances the plot by showing an insight of Hannah Baker's life before she committed suicide.
Book Review
I have recently finished the book Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. This book talks about when teenager Clay Jenson finds out his secret crush Hannah Baker is dead. Hannah made these tapes explaining what were the reasons why she died and who is responsible for it and she says Clay is somehow responsible for her death but as he listens he's trying to figure out how he is responsible for her death. At first when I picked up this book I thought it was going to be some sappy teenage love story but after reading it I was wrong. Jay Asher does an amazing job in teaching us that the little mean things you say or do to people can really affect them. All throughout the book there were some really deep meanings for example love, suicide, and how to treat people. The one word I can use to describe the book is unique because its really interesting that a girl records tapes explaining why she died and passing it on to each victim. As you read this book in some parts you can connect with Hannah and Clay and that's what I love most about this book. Overall Thirteen Reasons Why is a suspenseful, beautiful, devastating mystery so if you love mystery or love stories then Thirteen Reasons Why is the book for you!!!!!!!!