Out of My Dreams

In this section of the novel, Melody reaches an important personal milestone when she embarks on a grand adventure to London. The new setting and the challenges of travel represent a shift in Melody’s journey, exposing her to a different country with distinct customs and infrastructure. The trip also symbolizes Melody’s departure from her comfort zone, and she gradually learns to embrace the uncertainties that come with venturing into an unfamiliar environment. This adventure therefore highlights Melody’s bravery and willingness to engage with the world, even when it means facing challenges related to accessibility and adaptability.

Even in the midst of Melody’s excitement over the trip, she must still contend with the internal struggles of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, particularly as she grapples with her feelings of inadequacy regarding the upcoming I.D.E.A. conference. As Melody thinks about the accomplished and brilliant young individuals who have attended past conferences, she begins to question her own worth and contributions, allowing her insecurities to undercut her own well-earned sense of accomplishment over saving a life. Notably, she articulates the idea that she doesn’t want to “disappoint anybody. Including [herself]” (73), and her worries emphasize her understanding that people expect the conference attendees to achieve extraordinary things. While this pressure causes Melody to experience considerable stress, the situation also implies that people really do expect extraordinary things from her and believe that she can accomplish them, and this reality serves as a stark contrast to some of Melody’s earlier experiences, in which people assumed that she could accomplish very little. Now, as she explores the UK and thinks about the international conference, Melody broadens her perspective on her own place in the world, shifting her focus from her impact on her local community to her role on a global stage.

This section also introduces a new relationship for Melody: her budding friendship with Miss Gertie’s niece, Sky. Unlike the students at Melody’s school, Sky takes the time to understand and connect with Melody, allowing her to express her true self, including her sense of humor, her keen observations, and her various interests. This developing friendship represents a bridge across the communication gap that Melody often faces as she struggles to get people to acknowledge her rich interior life. In return for Sky’s consideration, Melody learns about Sky’s inner struggles, particularly her difficulties with forming lasting relationships due to her travel-heavy lifestyle. As the two girls begin to bond, Draper illustrates how their contrasting experiences—Melody’s challenges with communicating and Sky’s struggles with maintaining friendships—can result in similar feelings of isolation and longing for connection. Draper also uses these scenes to demonstrate that exposure and awareness are crucial aspects of building social structures that allow people with disabilities to participate. Because Sky has “experienced so many different things” (79), she does not treat Melody’s assistive devices as an anomaly; instead, she communicates with Melody easily, which in turn allows Melody to relax and be herself.

In this way, Draper continues to focus on Celebrating Everyday Heroism through the actions of the people around Melody, suggesting that true heroism does not necessarily require grand gestures; it can also arise in smaller, everyday acts that contribute to positive change. For example, Mrs. V demonstrates heroism by helping Melody face difficult tasks with kindness, support, and a sense of normality. When Melody thinks that Mrs. V would be worthy of an award for “efficiency, effectiveness, and discreetness” (91), her thoughts draw attention to the fact that Mrs. V acts the part of a hero even though she receives no recognition from anyone except Melody. Similarly, the technician who repairs Melody’s wheelchair goes beyond the call of duty, connecting with her compassionately and relating his own experiences with his child, who also has a disability. These acts of quiet heroism underscore the novel’s broader message that heroism can manifest in a myriad of humble forms: often through the simple yet profound acts of helping others.