Blog Project 1

13 Reasons Why







Summary: Hannah Baker attends your everyday American high school. Hannah created seven tapes in which are audio suicide tapes. On the first tape, she tells her listeners that she holds each of them individually responsible for her death in one way or another. After each person responsible listens to all seven tapes, they pass them on to the next. She also created a map for the listeners to use so they can physically follow her story. The story is mainly narrated by Hannah’s thoughts and actions. The seven tapes contain thirteen different stories. One for each person that she mentally held accountable for her suicide attempt. Essentially many different interactions occurred between her and her fellow peers, in which were negative interactions. She even reached out to her school councilor who seemed unhelpful. Which Rochelle Garnet from Rye NY saw that it may discourage adolescents from seeking help. Portraying that school counselors and adults are useless and unhelpful to teenage peer issues. 

Research: The show I am writing about is 13 reasons why, which was actually a Netflix original show based off a novel written by Jay Asher. I personally do not have cable, and do not watch live television. This series has become one of the most talked about series, that also spread like wild fire. This show is an American drama-mystery web television series based on a novel written in 2007. Reading articles from the website of The Opinions Pages , shares many articles and reviews about how 13 Reasons Why has impacted their lives. Re “In Fictional Suicide, Health Experts Say They See a Real Cause for Alarm” written by Marge Keller says that it was not helpful to struggling kids because the series is too painful and close to comfort. Keller says that she believes teenage suicide is contagious, because when she was in high school there were three teenage deaths. One after the other, believing that they were all related. Which in the series one suicide, Hannah’s almost caused more and the end of the series insinuated that more deaths were potentially caused by her killing herself. Another writer states in her letter to “The Editor” (her name was protected because of her story about her daughter.) This writter, from Portland, OR says that after reading the book 13 reasons why her 13 year old daughter attempted suicide. In the book Hannah is depicted as a very empathetic young girl, where as in the series you can really see more of her reserved personality and how she gradually pulls away from her friends. I can see where in the book, with a girl who is making an effort and trying to be kind to all those around her yet still not fitting in, would seem like there is no light at the end of the tunnel for teens battling depression. However, despite all of this the mother wrote that she believes 13 reasons why shows that teenage suicide is real and needs to be discussed. Her viewpoint is that this series creates a positive community and engagement around the topic of suicided helping people to not fell alone. 

Analyze: The style of this show, is made to be relatable to your average Americans high school experience and what could possibly occur at in their local school. The characters are dressed, in an everyday fashion. In order to make the cast relatable. The typical stereo types are visibly in place. Such as jocks, miss fights, the one boy who is supposed to be different and prince charming. Your innocent kind, un aware parents, mean girls and better yet the girl who just wants to fit in and be “normal.” The show is filmed with settings in which are very familiar, and typical of your average American high school. What make it different is the behind the scenes, inside look to each and every persons lives. You don’t only see their social interactions they have on a day to day basis, but they also show what those students feel, think, and experience at home in their non school day hours. The show does its best to not be melodramatic, but to also be realistic and intense when explaining just what went on and the struggles Hannah the main character faced. The show is filmed on location, in multiple different places throughout California. This show is unique from many other films because it does not cover, shy away from or down play the realness of teen depression or the results it could have. Other movies in which are similar, are According to Greta, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Cyberbully, Girl Interrupted, and its Kind of a Funny Story. All of these movies have in common, talks of suicide depression and suicide. Many are more light hearted and do not emphasize on suicide attempts quite as much. 



Interpret: The main character in this show is Hannah. She is a sweet girl, who is just trying to figure out where she fits in. The other main character is Clay Jensen, who is shown to be the kind miss fit boy. Many jocks play rolls in this show such as Justin, Tony, Alex, Zach, and Bryce. There are popular girls too such as Jessica and Sheri who is the school cheerleader. Someone who is supposed to be her near and dearest friend Tyler, who is another misfit student turns on hannah. Her councilor Mr. Porter, is no help when she comes to him in need of help and defends the student athlete in the situation. Which is something that happens very often with sexual assault cases here in the United States. She has hard working parents who are caring and want the best for her but are oblivious to her issues. Each character acts out there stereotypical stereotypes. The jocks self absorbed, animal like behavior is shown and troubles Hannah. The popular girls are bitchy and unkind, just as expected. Her councilor depicts exactly what a troubled teen would fear when going to get help and attempt telling there deepest darkest secrets, is the impression that they are wrong. If I were from another country viewing this movie I wouldn’t think poorly of American social status or American teens. I am assuming that others would be able to relate, just as people all over the United States were able to relate. This series has gone international and is being watched world wide. 

Which is easier said then done in most cases, and those of us who have been in High School can easily understand. The demographic of this series is teens and young adults. I also believe that parents of teens would enjoy and benefit this series, however it is not intended to be for them. Anyone who could be affected by the suicide of teens, is who this series is targeted towards.

Evaluate: Personally having seen many teens struggle with depression, having dealt with it myself and having had family members deal with depression. I think this series shows how genuinely real the struggles of depression are. Like many other movies such as Cyberbully etc. where they do show how your words and interactions can deeply affect someone. However the different thing about Thirteen reasons why, is that there is not a happy ending. There is no saving grace. There is an end. There is a result. And that is what I like, and why I think this series has such a large impact on people and the ability to change the way our generation converses and treats each others. The harshness is what makes it memorable and is what gives the very real impact on everyone who has viewed it. In an online article from the RollingStone website, Selena Gomez writes about why she stands by Thirteen Reasons why. Parents and other older generation members view this as harsh and unnecessary exposure Gomez writes. However that is quite the contrary according to her and I agree. I agree with Gomez saying that suicide and depression are uncomfortable to talk abound it seems graphic. When in reality in this day in age the exposure is through the roof and many youths see graphic things on a daily basis. This is a topic that does effect many people, especially in the Pacific Northwest with it being rainy so many months of the year. I personally have never dealt with loosing someone to suicide however, I do know of many people who have attempted and this series shows people just how big of an impact their actions could have. 

Engage: I couldn’t stop binge watching this show. Once I finished the series, over the course of a week. I was able to actively participate in conversations with my friends, co workers and family about what they thought of this show. Thirteen Reasons Why, contains a powerful message. Helping to convey what occurs across the United States and Nationally. I followed, have read and personally interacted with many people watching Thirteen Reasons why. I also researched, along with one of my friends. We didn’t look up a 13 reasons why website, or create a fan club but we actually researched the guidelines on what a show that shows suicide or talks about suicide is supposed to entail. Because most episodes and shows that show extreme bullying or show suicide have suicide hotline numbers and other things of the sorts. Social media for 13 Reasons why mostly is discussion and people talking about what the show made them realize or how it impacted their lives personally. Which made it seem to be that everyone became more aware of how their actions can effect peoples lives. 



Conclusion: I actually didn’t know that this series was based off of a book. I didn’t realize that it was filmed on location, as these aren't usually things I consider or think about while watching television. I was very aware of the demography and the message it was trying to portray. I liked reading the testimonies of people and hearing different opinions on how this series has effected peoples lives. I was surprised to hear that it made others actually attempt suicide, and that their take away from the book or series was saying that suicide was the only option. I think the message in which each person has gained from watching this series is different and that the take home message from this is different to each. I also believe that this is an extremely important message to be conveyed to the youth, harsh or not I believe it is done in a way that is impactful. May not be all flowers and sunshine, but thats how life is. 



Links 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/opinion/how-13-reasons-why-depicts-teenage-suicide.html
http://www.shmoop.com/thirteen-reasons-why/summary.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1837492/locations
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/selena-gomez-defends-13-reasons-why-as-honest-w486466



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