1. There's not always an option.
So many people today have this fixed idea that we always have an out, that no matter how much life sucks we can always end up happy or at least with a path. But the fact of the matter is that it all depends on the person with the problems. We put things behind us and move on so easily it seems, but what happens with that person that their mind just stays fixed on every bad thing. Just because you or I can do it doesn't mean that the next person will have it so easy. And to say that there is always an out is a lie, take the fictional character Hannah Baker, some don't always have that thought.
2. Hannah Baker is not Fictional.
Although she was a creation in the mind of Jay Asher she is a real person. She may not have a real pumping heart, but thoughts do not need a soul, they do not need a heart. Yes, Hannah is not living but her thoughts can be found in the mind of those that are.
3. We never know.
As much as we think we know what depression looks like we have no clue sometimes. We NEVER know what is going on in someone's mind, we NEVER know what they want to do, and they may NEVER know that people are there to help them. Just like with Hanna Baker people can seem so normal that not even their own mother can know what is going on in their life. Depression can put on the best camouflage sometimes, and it takes the hidden to come out and show themselves.
4. Good people are out there.
In the series we see so many people being so rude and mean to Hannah, but there are nice ones. Zach and Clay may have messed up and caused damage but their heart was in the right place. Zach showed us that, by keeping that note Hannah put in her bag. Clay shows us his unwillingness to kill his love for her. And even though it took so long for them to realize it, all but one showed their compassion and sadness. (I think we all know who that "one" is, scumbag.)
5. People are dumb, especially lovers.
I know I wasn't the only one staying up at night wondering why Clay had his own tape. And I also know I wasn't the only one who was cussing out Hannah when she said he doesn't deserve to have a tape. But now that I look back at it, he did deserve it. Clay was actually kind of a dick. Now did he love her, did he want her forever and always, was he there for her when she needed him? Hell yes, but the fact was that (and I agree with Tony) he did actually kill her. Clay wasn't the reason in her head, I don't think she blamed him one bit, but Clay knew he did. Clay even confesses in the end to Mr. Porter. Clay admits it when he says that "we all could have stopped this, all of us could have saved her". He knew that by not going up and talking to her and asking about her days, not letting her vent, that's what killed her.
6. Screw Bryce and what he did, and screw you if you do it... EVER.
No explanation here.
7. Everything adds up.
There isn't one thing alone that made Hannah do what she did, she even says that. Hannah says that it wasn't just one of them, it was everything. From the made up stories from the park to Alex's list, to the poem, and to Tyler's pictures. The smallest things can amount to the largest in some people's minds.
8. Sometimes it takes us awhile to understand where our own help is.
Just like with Clay going back and forth on whether or not he can trust Tony, we too can be stubborn. Not to say that Clay was stubborn because I was also kinda confused about Tony for awhile. However, sometimes it can take us awhile to realize that those who are trying to help us from the start and don't quit trying, they're probably true. But we can always take our own routes, as long as we come back to the right one. Always test out the waters.
9. What we do can have big consequences.
Yes obviously what they did ultimately lead to Hannah's life, but there is more to it. Yes, they put a lot on Hannah but they put just as much onto themselves. What we do to others will leave a lasting impressing on them, and a lasting imprint on ourselves. Sometimes it can be too much for them (Hannah as an example), and on us as well (Alex as an example).
10. Screw you, Bryce, Again.
Again, no need to explain.
11. Don't always believe your head.
I can't really tell what's more tragic, Hannah's "answer" to it all, or the fact that we were all pissed off at Clay for not telling her sooner how he felt. We always have this battle between our heart and mind. We try to justify why we feel the way we do about people, and more than not we opt out of the feeling. We usually think that he/she don't think the same way we do, but we don't know. Sometimes we just need to take a leap, and have faith in our hearts, even if we fall into the abyss.
12. Us guys can be as stubborn as girls.
Do we really need an explanation? Remember yelling at Clay to man up and talk?
13. Just be nicer.
Not all of them knew what they were doing, but sometimes we do. If you ever catch yourself being mean or realize that they are upset, fix it. Make it up to them, no one really ever "deserves" it.