Historical Context
You might be wondering how a novel with such seemingly fresh controversy at the root of its topics could be considered to have historical context. However, controversy is often times at those very roots of historical literature. Even today, classic texts like The Scarlet Letter can be chastised and challenged by parents, teachers, students, administrators, etc. but it's a wonderful thing when a story, an important story, prevails.
By directly considering Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic work with Speak, there are definitely several parallels to be drawn between Hester Prynne and Melinda Sordino. They both bear the unfortunate mark of a their circumstances. Gossip is gossip, no matter what decade you're in. It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest past times of humans - to talk about other humans. However, when this talk comes from a place of direct attempts at hurting someone else, at diminishing their reputation, at ruining their life, that's when a story is even more important and even more worthy of being told.
An interesting perspective would be to read Speak along with The Scarlet Letter.
By directly considering Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic work with Speak, there are definitely several parallels to be drawn between Hester Prynne and Melinda Sordino. They both bear the unfortunate mark of a their circumstances. Gossip is gossip, no matter what decade you're in. It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest past times of humans - to talk about other humans. However, when this talk comes from a place of direct attempts at hurting someone else, at diminishing their reputation, at ruining their life, that's when a story is even more important and even more worthy of being told.
An interesting perspective would be to read Speak along with The Scarlet Letter.