might as well

[shootingstar]

George. Emily, why are you mad at me?
Emily: I'm not mad at you.
George: You ... you treat me so funny.
Emily: Well, I might as well say it right out, George. I don't like that whole change that's come over you in the last year. I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings, but I''ve just got to tell the truth and shame the devil.
(Thornton Wilder, Our Town, Act II)

What modal meaning does might have in this context? What does the author want to express with might here?

 

[Glizdka]

Might as well is a fixed phrase. You should look at it as a whole.

Cambridge Dictionary describes what it means pretty well:

We can use may as well and might as well for making suggestions. We can use them to say what we think is the easiest or most logical course of action when we cannot see a better alternative.

I'd say Emily doesn't care to bother hiding her negative emotions towards George anymore, and she thought it wouldn't matter much if she just straight-up told him.

 

[emsr2d2]

We also use it when we can't see any reason why we/someone shouldn't do something.

Shall we have toast for breakfast?
Yeah, might as well.

You're never going to win this game. Why don't you give up?
I might as well!

 

[Barque]

I might as well say it right out,

To put it another way: There's no reason I shouldn't say it plainly, instead of hinting at it or not referring to it.

 

[shootingstar]

Great replies. I much appreciate your help. I might as well say that!