A mistake

Melanie's experience with David...

No. Not again. I can't believe this is happening to me. It's all my fault. I mean, I hadn't known that I couldn't have trusted him, but when he asked me to join him for a drink, I said okay. I said okay even though I felt uncomfortable. Maybe if I said no thank you, this wouldn't have happened. I was just so confused, and then he asked me out for lunch... I didn't have to say yes, but I assumed lunch was casual, so it was probably no big deal. How could I think that? I should have known to ignore him after he asked me to sleep with him the night before. But I didn't know what to do or who to tell. I should have told him flat out no, why didn't I stop him? I didn't like what he was doing to me, but I didn't make him stop. Why? So that it could be done and over with, maybe then he would leave me alone, but no. Here I am again. I should have slammed the door on his face, when he tried to force his way in. Telling him no wasn't enough, it didn't stop him. And now it's happened all over again. Oh god! Just make him go away! "Please you must go."

As the door slams shut, the gurgling of a sob threatens to let loose. Aching, I quickly rush to shower, to cleanse myself clean. As the hot water hits my face, my tears rush out as a mass, blurring my vision. I have just been raped.

Analysis

Throughout the entire novel, Melanie is given such a small voice. Although we suspect that she dislikes David, and is forced to have sex with David multiple times, we can't be sure. For instance, there are several times within the novel where David makes us think otherwise. When Melanie comes over in a need for a place to stay, David makes it seem as though she wants to be with him, "she is quick and greedy for the experience...one moment stands out in recollection, when she hooks a leg behind his buttocks to draw him in closer...feels a surge of joy and pleasure" (29). By reading this, it seems as though Melanie is enjoying herself as much as David is. By coming over to David's house willingly, we might assume that this relationship means something to Melanie. Although, David's perception makes us think this, we also have to realize that this is the only instance that asserts such a possibility. If we actually analyze Melanie's entire experience with David we can claim otherwise. For example, throughout the times Melanie sleeps with David she is quite passive,"all she does is avert herself: avert her lips, avert her eyes...and turns her back on him" (25) This demonstrates the fact that she does not appreciate David's sexual advances. Instead she feels helpless and uncomfortable. She is tangled in a web of emotions. At times she may think that what is happening to her is her fault. This may explain why she isn't so resistant towards David,and goes back to him in desperation. As a character, Melanie's actions are conflicting and confusing. Without any insight in regards to her emotions, we as readers can't be sure how she actually feels. This narrative shows the complexity involved with Melanie's situation that we may not appreciate or realize from David's narrative alone.