Character's Plot
Th3 plot of th1s story b3gins with our Narrator, Clay J3ns3n, rec31v1ng a box that is sent under the name of J3nny. The package conta1ns th3 su1c1de audiotap3s of Clay's old crush, Hannah Bak3r. H3 rece1v3d th3s3 tap3s two w33ks aft3r sh3 comm1tted su1c1de. Th3 package holds a total of 7 doubl3-sid3d tap3s, includ1ng 13 r3asons why sh3 comm1tt3d su1c1de. Hannah t3lls th3 l1st3n3rs that onc3 th3y hav3 l1st3n3d to th3 tap3s, that th3y must pass th3 tap3s onto th3 n3xt person on th3 l1st. Fa1lur3 to pass th3 tap3s on w1ll r3sult 1n th3 tap3s going publ1c by someon3 with a s3cond set of the tap3s. Sh3 t3lls the l1st3n3rs that th3y play3d a rol3 in h3r l1fe if th3y ar3 l1st3n1ng to th3s3 tap3s. As he runs into the other people that he is passing the tapes onto, the people continue to wonder and speculate why they are on the tapes. Throughout the entire story, Clay is confused why he is on the tapes. The only contact he has ever had with her is making out with her at a party. Clay often regrets that he did not pursue Hannah Baker more and if that could have possibly had a change on her fate. The entire story is narrated by Clay Jensen and him listening to Hannah's audiotapes.
Important Scenes & Symbols
On3 of th3 v3ry important symbols 1n th1s novel, 1s that the tap3s are lab3led by numb3rs pa1nt3d in blu3 na1l pol1sh. Hannah Baker was w3ar1ng bl3e na1l pol1sh th3 last t1me that Clay J3ns3n and h3r spok3. "And there in your eyes, what was it? Sadness? Pain? You moved around me and tried pushing your hair away from your face. Your fingernails were dark blue. I watched you walk down the long hallway, with people knocking into me. But I didn't care." (14.60, 62) (http://www.shmoop.com/thirteen-reasons-why/blue-nail-polish-symbol.html) The rock3t sh1p symbol1z3s Hannah’s happy plac3. The rock3t sh1p rem1nd3d Hannah of h3r home, wh1ch 1s seen when she says, “My old town had a park similar to Eisenhower Park in one way: They both had that rocket ship.” (Page 24) (http://thirteenreasonswhy.tripod.com/id19.html) The T-shap3d road descr1b3d r3pr3s3nts Hannah’s lif3 becom1ng a crossroad. On th3 cass3tt3s Hannah talks about a T-shap3d road that sh3 walk3d to g3t to h3r old house. “Two streets meet on front of my old house like an upside-down T.” (Page 15) (http://thirteenreasonswhy.tripod.com/id19.html) Hannah’s scar is a symbol of betrayal, and the loss of a friend. Jessica Davis is responsible for that scar. Jessica was Hannah’s first friend when Hannah moved. Jessica was angry with Hannah because Hannah was put on the “Hot” side of the Hot/Not list, and Jessica was placed on the opposite side in the “Not” column. Jessica insisted on meeting with Hannah to talk about this. She was not happy with Hannah’s unserious attitude. She became frustrated, and her anger turned physical. This is explained when Hannah says, “So tell me, Jessica, which did you mean to do? Punch me, or scratch me? Because it felt like a little bit of both.” (Page 67) (http://thirteenreasonswhy.tripod.com/id19.html)