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Initial Event
The story begins when Clay Jensen receives a package, seven audiotapes recorded by Hannah Baker, a girl he knew who recently killed herself. The reader can know from the very beginning that this will not be an easy book to read: it will be filled with difficult concepts, sad stories, and emotional events. -
Conflict
According to Hannah, the people on her tapes are to blame for her suicide. Clay is obviously on the tapes, but he can't see why. He's determined to listen to find out, but the idea ties his brain in knots. This conflict stays with him through the entire book, and will probably stay with him for the rest of his life. -
Complication
When Clay finally gets to his portion of the tape, Hannah reveals that she doesn't actually blame him for her suicide. But Clay is starting to realize that even though he didn't do anything bad to Hannah, he let rumors about her stand in the way of their relationship. If he hadn't of held back, he might have been able to make a positive difference in her life. -
Climax
Hannah's death and Clay's possible role in it is hard for Clay to take in. He knows Hannah's decision was an act of self-destruction and he's angry that he didn't do anything to stop it. Clay gets so mad that he punches a fence and cuts his hand. All of the emotion that has been building up inside him is finally released through punching the fence. -
Suspense
What happens to the twelve people on the tapes? Does Jessica report her rape? Is Mr. Porter fired? Does Bryce realize the major error of his ways? These questions haunt us more and more as Hannah's accusations pile up. The reader wants to know how the tapes have affected Clay. He's one of the only characters whose post-tapes fate is revealed to us. -
Falling Action
After staying up all night with the tapes, Clay decides he has to face the music and go to school. He risks running in to the other kids on the tapes (and worst of all, Mr. Porter), but he decides to go. At least the reader knows that he will be able to move on with his life, even if it's tough. -
Conclusion
The conclusion of this book is really moving. Clay has been deeply affected by Hannah's tapes and instead of wallowing in his anxiety, he takes some action. He puts aside fears about his reputation and reaches out to Skye Miller, saving another girl from Hannah's fate. This conclusion makes us feel as though Hannah's death was not in vain and there was no purpose to it.