Image represents guilt

A high-school student named Clay Jensen arrives from school one day to find a package addressed to him. Opening the box, he discovers a set of tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, a girl who killed herself several weeks prior. Rolling the tapes, he discovers that he, and twelve other people, are the thirteen reasons why Hannah killed herself, and as he listens, he discovers the not only the truth about Hannah, but also the truth about himself.

Clay: Main Character
Protagonist
-Polite
-Withdrawn
-Sensible
Seeker

Hannah: Suicidal Girl, Foil to Clay
Antagonist
-Spiteful
-Withdrawn
-Rumors

Tony: Clay's BFF
Supporting Character
-Loyal
-Secretive
-Willing

Clay's Mom: Clay's Mom
Supporting Character
-Loving
-Trusting
-Kind

Conflict: Person vs. Person, Person vs. Self

Hannah's spite causes distress for Clay

Clay discovers things about himself, such as how he stood by

Hannah is bullied by others

"My name does not belong with theirs. I did nothing wrong!"

Clay discovers how he stood by while Hannah spiraled into depression

Hannah kills herself as a result of being bullied

"what he discovers changes his life forever" -Back of the book

"But Skye's walking down the same stretch of hall I saw Hannah slip away two weeks ago."

Clay uses his experience with Hannah to discern Skye as another suicidal person.

Author says theme is people being more sensitive than they appear

Theme for me is don't stand by.

"I stood there and watched you disappear. Forever."