"I am Outcast." Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Names seem to be an incredibly important part of this book. So what does a "name" mean? What is the relevance of not having a "name"? What is the importance of being assigned a name compared to being assigned a description. I
"We pass janitors painting over the sign in front of the high school. The school board has decided that "Merryweather High - Home of the Trojans" didn't send a strong abstinence message, so they have transformed us into the Blue Devils. Better the Devil you know than the Trojan you don't, I guess." At the very beginning of the novel the changing of names is already evident. The school and its students become nameless, and in so, lose their identity.
"I am Outcast." Melinda has removed her own name and now claims that she is "Outcast"; using Outcast as a name opposed to a type of person. She embodies the Outcast. In fact, it is not until much later in the book that we even learn her name.
As of now, no one or nothing in the book has a name.
Rachel Bruin is the first character given a name. This name gives her authority over Melinda. The name gives her power. The name gives her memories.
"My English teacher has no face. She has uncombed stringy hair that droops on her shoulders... I can't decide if she had a pissed off hairdresser or is morphing into a monarch butterfly. I call her Hairwoman."
"This eight-foot senior in front of me somehow gets three cheeseburgers, French fries, and two Ho-Hos without saying a word... I follow the Basketball Pole into the cafeteria... The Basketball Pole waves to a table of friends."
The second person in the novel to be given a name is the art teacher, Mr. Freeman.
"Mr. Freeman is ugly. Big old grasshopper body, like a stiltwalking circus guy. Nose like a credit card sunk between his eyes. But he smiles at us as we file into class." Mr. Freeman has been the only teacher to have a name. When Melinda first introduces him, he is named - is this because she immediately recognizes as a person who sees her as a person, not an adjective?" Mr. Freeman looks at his students not as test scores, not as rowdy teenagers, but as people. His classroom is welcoming and the students respect him for the respect he gives.
Directly following Art is another classroom with another nameless teacher.
"My room belongs to an alien." At this point, Melinda discusses her room and how it was influenced by Nicole, Jessica, and Rachel - everyone else, but her. Melinda feels like her room belongs to her past, and she is unwelcome.
"Principal Principal pauses with a look on his face like Daffy Duck's when Bugs is pulling a fast one." Is a name given out of respect? She obviously doesn't respect Principal Principal, but why not give him a name?
Melinda has a past with Nicole, even if they were never all that close. Her memories of Nicole are merely the fact that she's not related to the bad memories of her old group of friends. Nicole doesn't need a group - she can be herself. Nicole doesn't care what others think.
"She doesn't mind changing her clothes in public. She even changes bras, wearing one sports bra to regular class and another to gym class. Never blushes or turns aruond to hide herself, just changes her clothes. Must be a jock thing. If you're that strong, you don't care if people make comments about your boobs or rear end." Nicole is given a name because she damn well deserves one. She doesn't care and Melinda wishes she could have her confidence.
"Rachel is with me in the bathroom. Edit that. Rachelle
is with me in the bathroom. She has changed her name, Rachelle is reclaiming her European hertiage by hanging out with foreign exchange students." Melinda's old friend doesn't exist anymore; she has become someone completely different. It is this new name which encourages Melinda to try and make contact with her again, but it is useless.
Heather from Ohio has become a friend. Melinda is willing to change plans because of her; Melinda is willing to help her. Heather is allowed to be given a name. In the case of Heather, a name represents respect, but also a power. Heather uses the friendship and requests for Melinda to do things for her.
All of the cheerleaders are mentioned by name. They have the power of the school and thrive on it. The names give them power.
Ms. Keen, Mr. Stetman, and David Petrakis are given names. She feels sorry for Ms. Keen and Mr. Stetman. David Petrakis is similar to Nicole. He doesn't care about what other people think. He is worried about his own education and what will affect it.
"I get hosed in Spanish. 'Linda' means 'pretty' in Spanish. This is a great joke. Mrs. Spanish Teacher calls my name. Some stand-up comic cracks, "No, Melinda no es linda."
They call me Me-no-linda for the rest of the period."
The Marthas are all about their names. Heather wants to join so badly; she wants the title of "Martha". Martha is even better than her own name.
The school is changing its name yet again...
IT is the most powerful person in the book. IT is refused a name, but given a substitute name. IT's real name cannot be spoken. IT cannot even be looked at. The idea of calling something "it" removes gender and even species; it can even be an inanimate object. Yet, IT is given more power than any other person in the book; Melinda is completely powerless against IT.
As soon as Melinda is forced to interract with him, the Basketball Pole is given a name. He becomes someone that Melinda must interract with, despite her deepest desire against it. She can get something from him.
And another name change for the school. These students must be so confused! Their school identity is gone.
Hairwoman's rant on symbolism just points out the symbolism in this book. No one is who they pretend to be.
"Mr. Freeman has found a way aruond the authorities again. He painted the names of all of his students on one wall of the classroom, then made a column for each week left of school. Each week he evaluates our progress and makes a note on the board... Next to my name he's painted a question mark."
