Thirteen Reasons Why Violence
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Violence
- Chapter 4
I know who Hannah's talking about now. I've seen his wrist-grabbing stunt before. (4.25)
This is the first time Bryce Walker shows up, though his name isn't revealed until later. Bryce is the character most associated with violence in the novel.
- Hannah Baker
<em>Statement number one: "I'm only playing, Hannah." </em>
<em>Translation: Your ass is my play-toy. You might think you have final say over what happens to your ass, but you don't. Not as long as "I'm only playing." </em>(4.133-34)What a jerk. Seriously, Bryce: get a clue. Hannah's dislike of Bryce's violent attitude makes makes it all the more mind-boggling when she chooses to have sex with him toward the end of the book.
- Chapter 5
- Hannah Baker
<em>That tiny scar you've all seen above my eyebrow, that's the shape of Jessica's fingernail… which I plucked out myself</em>. (5.130)
Jessica inflicts physical violence on Hannah at Monet's Café. But the physical violence doesn't hurt as much as the emotional trauma that comes along with it. Check out "Symbols" for more on that.
- Chapter 6
- Hannah Baker
<em>And even though he was outside, I was too afraid of what might happen if he saw me reaching for the phone. </em>(6.123)
Is the Peeping Tom committing violence toward Hannah? He terrifies her and makes her feel unsafe in her own home; does this count as violence?
- Chapter 7
- Hannah Baker
<em>Watching those guys pummel each other so no one would suspect them of being weak was too much for me. Their reputations were more important than their faces. </em>(7.206)
Ah, machismo. At the first party Hannah describes, she sees a fist fight that makes her physically ill. She is very sensitive to violence and is starting to see more and more of it.
My fingers close and tighten into a fist. I look down at the rock, aching to pick it up. (7.188)
Clay is normally the nonviolent type, but when he sees Marcus throwing rocks at Tyler's window, it brings out his aggressive side. Why is he so miffed?
- Chapter 8
- Hannah Baker
<em>Below the table, my fingers were fighting to pry your fingers off. To loosen your grip. To push you away. And I didn't want to yell – it wasn't to that level yet – but my eyes were begging for help.</em> (8.243)
Hannah describes how Marcus Cooley sexually assaults her in a booth at Rosie's. This violent incident marks a turning point for Hannah. After this, her thoughts of suicide increase drastically.
About halfway through the movie, while I sold tickets for the next show, that girl came tearing out of the theater holding her wrist. Maybe crying. Bryce was nowhere to be seen. (8.280)
Bryce is at it again – treating women like objects. Clay lets us know that Bryce doesn't limit his violence to girls, though. He uses violence to get what he wants from just about everyone.
- Chapter 12
- Hannah Baker
<em>A few minutes was all he needed with her. So just relax and step aside. </em>(12.56)
Creepy. The fact that Bryce always tells his victims to "just relax" almost makes his violence stand out even more. Relaxation and violence usually don't go hand in hand, eh?
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