Most Memorable Moment Journal

13 Reasons Why; Most memorable moment By: Nillani Nithi 09E
Most Memorable Moment Journal- Each member of the group must write and post a one-page reflection on the most memorable moment from her/his assigned section. 
   
     The most memorable moment in the book, “ 13 reasons why” was when Clay discovered the hidden connection between an accident  he witnessed and Hannah Baker. I realized that everyone in the story connected somehow. I loved that she made everyone realize their actions have consequences. Especially Jenny, because her actions went unchecked. I was deeply disturbed to think that actions I have taken in my past could have been done innocently but caused a horrible rift in someone else's life. 
 
        One day in the afternoon after a party, Clay walked home and as he was crossing the apparently deserted street, two vehicles suddenly collided. Clay, acting on instinct, ran toward one of the cars which stank of burning metal and car exhaust fumes. There in the car wreckage he found a shaken, but otherwise uninjured, elderly man.  He then saw another boy in the car struggling. Clay knew was that it had been a senior from his school, and was apparently in a worse shape than the elderly man. Although this, Clay continued to stay with the man because he wanted to make sure he was okay. Soon, the boy in the other car died. The elderly man had to live his life in grief and despair, seeing himself at fault for the death of an innocent person.


 
       Clay then made this connection to an event in Hannah Baker's life. That night, Hannah left the party a little later than Clay. She was offered a ride by a friend, Jenny Kurtz, who helped a slightly drunk Hannah into her Jeep. As they were driving, Jenny drove over the curb and had knocked over a Stop sign post. Hannah just realized how intoxicated Jenny was, and how having her drive around during the dark of night was clearly dangerous. She told Jenny to hand over her keys, and call the police to report the fallen sign-post. But rather than being smart, Jenny kicked Hannah out of the jeep and sped off, leaving Hannah to wander around lost looking for a pay phone. Later that night, an elderly man was driving out of town, speaking on the phone with his wife. At the same time, someone was trying to deliver his pizzas on time, and the elderly man turning collided with him. There was not a Stop sign on that corner that night. That night, one of the drivers died. By the time Hannah arrived at a gas station and made the call, it was too late, an accident happened. But Jenny Kurtz lived her life on without realizing that her foolish recklessness caused the death of an innocent school boy and the guilt Hannah and the elderly man had to live with for the rest of their lives.

  
    Clay finally gained a understanding bond between Hannah when he heard the remorse and guilt in Hannah’s voice as she described how she felt when she realized she could have prevented the death of a person.  Clay felt for the elderly man and had a moment with Hannah after realizing that they were both hurting over the same incident, and this information helped Clay move on. I just loved the connections they had in the death of an innocent person. It just shows how our lives are all connected.