“Suicide. It’s something I’ve been thinking about. Not too seriously, but I have been thinking about it,” states Hannah Baker in the Netflix original series, “Thirteen Reasons Why” (Shmoop). Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. On March 30, 2017, executive producers, Diana Son and Tom McCarthy premiered the television series “Thirteen Reasons Why”, a show which became an overnight sensation. “Netflix’s teen suicide drama tackles its touchy subject in a thoughtful and interesting way. A steady 13-episode descent into grief and emotional confusion, 13 Reasons Why is an honorably mature piece of young adult adaptation which takes a butterfly-effect view of teenage suicide in the 21st century” (Fienberg). The fictional tv show Thirteen Reasons Why, based on the 2007 novel by Jay Asher, unfolds in the wake of Hannah Baker’s suicide. She left behind thirteen audiotapes with instructions for thirteen friends to carefully listen to them and understand their meaning. Almost all of the story takes place in a variety of flashbacks while Hannah is still alive. The series is sought to be structured like a murder mystery, not to reveal who, but why. Over the course of the thirteen episodes, viewers learn what some of the other characters had done to Hannah Baker. Some acts they had committed seemed relatively mild, but some were horrific. Through the tapes and fellow high schooler Clay Jenson’s tenacity, secrets are revealed and people are exposed. The message of the series, intended or not, is while justice may be elusive in life, all justice may be achieved in death. The most unsettling message is the notion that one’s suicide can serve as the catalyst to get the wheel of justice spinning. The series Thirteen Reason Why also conveys the idea that, if people let their voice go unheard in life, their death can serve as an amplifier, ensuring their message is heard loud and clear after they are gone. Gracie Jenkins, a twelfth grader at Franklin County High School says, “Thirteen Reasons Why was a good depiction of teen suicide; however, death should not be the reason your voice is heard, and the show should not portray the inconvenience.” The main character, Hannah Baker, makes and distributes the tapes through audio narrative to convince the thirteen people of their culpability in her suicide. “Hannah reveals her pain and suffering and the slide into depression that ultimately leads to her suicide. She lists her first crush, a former friend, a peeping Tom, a liar, a goof who takes advantage of her, a hater, a thief who steals her poems, a member of the list that already passed, a cheerleader who crashes into a stop sign, the guidance counselor, and Clay, her soul-mate, all who thought their actions were harmless, or that they wouldn’t affect or scar her. They were wrong.” (Yee). After the tapes were revealed, she and the thirteen people believe in
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Nevertheless, two of the people she considers responsible because of what they did not do. Clay Jensen, the protagonist of the series, is a kind but socially awkward teen. Reality becomes quite evident to viewers, and Clay, that Hannah has romantic interests in Clay, and would like for their friendship to evolve into more. Clay Jensen, mired in his social awkwardness and inexperience, does not know how to act upon learning of Hannah’s affection. By the final episode, the message is quite clear that Clay’s inability to deliver on Hannah’s hope of romantic love seems to be a contributing factor in her decision to end her life. Katelyn Hill, a junior student at Franklin County High School states, “ Although Clay does not express himself clearly soon enough, he still enjoyed her company and he should not have been any part of the reason Hannah killed herself. This series is interesting, though more points could have been added for the reassurredness of the plot.” Although many people enjoyed Thirteen Reasons Why, some people simply did not adore the show. According to “‘13 Reasons Why’ offers the wrong solution to teen struggles,” by Jack VanNoord, he states: I’m the father of two daughters -- one still in high school. I’m also a middle school teacher. Last Thursday, I sat down at 7 p.m. to watch a few of
Nevertheless, two of the people she considers responsible because of what they did not do. Clay Jensen, the protagonist of the series, is a kind but socially awkward teen. Reality becomes quite evident to viewers, and Clay, that Hannah has romantic interests in Clay, and would like for their friendship to evolve into more. Clay Jensen, mired in his social awkwardness and inexperience, does not know how to act upon learning of Hannah’s affection. By the final episode, the message is quite clear that Clay’s inability to deliver on Hannah’s hope of romantic love seems to be a contributing factor in her decision to end her life. Katelyn Hill, a junior student at Franklin County High School states, “ Although Clay does not express himself clearly soon enough, he still enjoyed her company and he should not have been any part of the reason Hannah killed herself. This series is interesting, though more points could have been added for the reassurredness of the plot.” Although many people enjoyed Thirteen Reasons Why, some people simply did not adore the show. According to “‘13 Reasons Why’ offers the wrong solution to teen struggles,” by Jack VanNoord, he states: I’m the father of two daughters -- one still in high school. I’m also a middle school teacher. Last Thursday, I sat down at 7 p.m. to watch a few of