What role does the concept of identity play in the novel?

Indentity plays a integral role in the text. Melinda has lost her identity..... Andy Evans stole her identity when he raped her. Her friends stole her identity when they turned their backs on her. A seemingly popular girl became a social pariah overnight..... because a young man thought he had the right to violate her. No one asked why.... everyone just turned away. Thus, Melinda is forced to find herself.... by herself. She learns to express herself through her art, and she learns to communicate the same way. Before it's over, she takes back her identity, although it will never be the same.... she becomes stronger, she engages, and she once again learns to speak.