Stereotyping

Hairwomen, Mr. Neck, the Marthas.  What do these all have in common?  They are all representations of a major theme in the book Speak. That theme is stereotyping, and Speak is not the only novel to address it. The Knife of Never Letting Go, and Eldest, also shows examples of stereotyping.  And this is not just a theme in books; it is a real issue for kids and teens everywhere.

In Speak almost every page has a reference to stereotyping.  For example Melinda gives two of her teachers names based on their appearance.  Hairwoman, her language arts teacher, and Mr. Neck her social studies teacher.  Both of these names while true, to an extent, they are based on Melinda's first impressions of those people.  Similarly the older students, who don't even know Melinda, have labeled her as a 'party pooper' for calling the cops on their party.

Also in The Knife of Never Letting Go Todd has made the mistake of being born in Prentisstown. He does his best to hide his origins because men of Prentisstown are considered to be vile, unholy outcasts by the rest of the New World. So when Todd's secret gets out he is forced to leave the settlement that he is taking shelter in.  The people of that settlement once they knew did not care that he ran away or that he carries grave news, they just wanted him gone.

Finally in Eldest there is a distinct instance of stereotyping.  Eragon, a young Dragon Rider and the hope for Alagaësia, is mocked and disrespected by his training partner because he is a human.  The young elf doesn't believe that a mere human can save them all, especially one who cannot defeat an elf in mock combat.  To the elf stories of Eragon's accomplishments are farce, made up by his supporters.  The difference in Eldest is that Eragon rises above this stereotype and in the end wins both the battle of swords and the one of words.

Stereotyping isn't nice, but it is everywhere.  Some of us will follow Eragon's example and rise above the standards set for us by others, but the rest will believe the labels placed on them.  For the later group these labels could become an excuse for not trying to reach something more.   But I intend to be one of the former and to live my life unbound by the expectations of others.