13 REASONS WHY STUDY GUIDE.pdf - JacobEnglish11

23
Symbol 1: Cassette Tapes
- Revenge
Example
Cassette tapes are the object that starts out the whole book and drives the narrator, Clay
Jenson into realizing who was involved in the death of Hannah Baker and how they were
involved in her death. The cassette tapes were sent by Hannah Baker, to reveal what
derived her to committing suicide. The cassette tapes symbolizes revenge. The cassette
tapes make the people on the list scared and feel regret towards what they have done and
because Hannah sent this tape to the people, it makes the people uncomfortable. It
basically lets them know that they were a cause of a person’s death. In the beginning of
the book, Hannah says, “I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of
my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes,
you’re one of the reasons why”(Asher 8). This quote basically, before the story even
starts, mentions how the tapes are for the people who contributed in the death of Hannah
Baker, which makes Clay Jenson feel worried and scared. Hannah wants those people to
acknowledge the fact that they basically committed “murder,” instead of denying the fact
they did so. Hannah, in her tapes also says, “on: you listen. Number two: You pass it
on. ... In case you’re attempted to break the rules, understand that I did make a copy of
these tapes. Those copies will be released in a very public manner if this package doesn’t
make it though all of you”(10). This is a threat to the people who contributed to Hannah’s
death because Hannah demands the people to listen to the cause of her death to make
them feel sorry. Therefore, the cassette tapes represents revenge.