The author effectively conveys the idea that individuals have the ability to overcome trauma and emerge stronger. Anderson achieves this through the use of a first-person narrative, allowing readers to witness the protagonist's journey toward transformation. The first-person point of view, characterized by the use of pronouns such as "I", "we", "me", and "we", provides readers with direct access to the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of the protagonist related to trauma. event and its subsequent recovery. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout the book, readers are exposed to the profound impact of a traumatic event, the associated struggles, and the healing process. The novel takes the form of a diary belonging to the main character, Melinda Sordino, who survives an act of violence at the hands of a classmate but thus becomes an outcast at school. Melinda's innermost thoughts, her introspection, and her attempts to find her voice and resolve the problem are all laid bare for readers to witness. Melinda confesses: "I want to confess everything, to confide the guilt, the mistakes and the anger to someone else. There's a beast in my stomach, I can hear it scratching the inside of my ribs. Even though I forget this memory, it will stay with me, staining me” (Anderson, 1999, p. 38). Through these words, readers grasp the depth of Melinda's feelings of filth and the haunting nature of the traumatic event. Like many victims of abuse, Melinda also experiences feelings of guilt despite her own innocence. Melinda's overwhelming emotions of anger and guilt lead her to withdraw and become almost silent. begins to yearn for liberation: “A small, clean part of me is waiting to warm up and burst to the surface” (Anderson, 1999, p. 122). I'm not going to let this kill me, I can grow” (Anderson, 1999, p. 128), reflects his recovery from the trauma. Through Melinda's courageous words and actions, readers witness her transformation and understand that healing is indeed possible. It becomes apparent that the author's choice to use a first-person narrative effectively conveys the idea that change and healing can occur even in the aftermath of trauma. Reference Anderson, L.H. (1999). Talk. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.