Just Listen

Music and the “Just Listen” CD that Owen burns for Annabel symbolize the power of listening to oneself, finding your voice, and using it to speak up. Music is Owen’s obsession and the first way that he and Annabel bond, as he gives her a ride home and has a car with mountains of CDs. Annabel is introduced to numerous new bands and types of music because of Owen, such as thrash metal. Music gives them a shared topic to be honest about and escape into together rather than be caught up in the noise of reality. Music is the first thing Annabel learns to speak up about. Though it seems minor compared to her ultimately sharing about her rape, Whitney’s eating disorder, and other heavy topics, music gives her the starting point toward honesty, openness, and respecting her own voice.

In the unexpectedly silent scene of the “Just Listen” CD, Annabel needs not real music but silence to realize that she can’t remain silent any longer. She needs to be the music, to share her trauma so she can heal. The CD functions as the catalyst Annabel needs to finally change and vent about everything she’s been repressing since the night with Will.