Speak: Part 3, Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

Since she is friendless, Melinda has begun to bring brown bag lunches to school in order to avoid the cafeteria as much as possible. When she writes a note to her mother asking for supplies to make bologna sandwiches, she comes home to find a fridge full of her favorite junk foods. She considers talking to her mother and father (whom she calls Them), but worries that she will say the wrong thing.

Melinda tries to read as she eats alone, but can’t concentrate because of the noise. She pretends to be a scientist experimenting on and observing all of her fellow students. She watches as the Marthas interview a new member, and wonders if they are laughing at her; imagines Heather fat and middle aged; and observes Rachel, who is wearing harem pants and a headscarf because she “is experimenting with Islam” sitting with an Egyptian exchange student named Hana. She also sees other students who are losers like her, but notes that she is the only person who is completely alone.