Help w/ homework Question...Please!!?

Question

So I have a book report due the first day of school, and

I'm having a hard time w/ this question(actually its not a question, buts it on the question sheet):

-Discuss the motivation and purpose of the main character's involvementin the plot of your book.

If you've read the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson can you help me answer this question.

I just cant get the wording right to explain...

Answer 1

The question is asking what motivates Melinda to do the things she does in the story.  We know from the very start that Melinda is motivated by what happened to her at the party, right?  What happened that night changes her from   a happy, friendly, outgoing girl to a frightened, withdrawn person.  Her purpose is to avoid having to publicize what happened and to deal with the trauma she was forced to endure.  

    Can you take it from here?  Hope this was helpful.