Speak

In Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, the tree symbolizes Melinda's emotional and mental growth. Initially, her artwork reflects her trauma and isolation, with dark and lifeless trees. As she confronts...

Melinda in Speak is characterized by her silence and social isolation. Physically, she is described as having a gaunt appearance, with bitten lips and a generally disheveled look, reflecting her...

An example of an allusion in Speak is when Melinda considers putting her face in a tree "like a dryad from Greek mythology," referencing tree nymphs from ancient Greece. Another example is her...

At Merryweather High School, the "clans" include jocks, country clubbers, idiot savants, cheerleaders, human waste, eurotrash, future fascists of America, big hair chix, the Marthas, suffering...

In Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, Melinda's journey to find her voice is significantly influenced by her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, who provides a safe space for her to express herself through art....

In "Speak," Melinda uses a simile to describe her newfound confidence from skipping school: "It's like living in an MTV video," highlighting the contrast with her timid school persona. A metaphor...

In Speak, Melinda faints while dissecting a frog because the whole situation reminds her of her horrible experience at the party where Andy Evans raped her.

On the bathroom wall, Melinda writes, "Guys to Stay Away From: Andy Evans."

The pivotal event that changed everything for Melinda in Speak is her rape at a summer party. This traumatic experience leads to her becoming isolated, withdrawn, and unable to speak about what...

In Speak, Melinda compares herself to a bunny rabbit when running away from Andy Evans. She describes herself as freezing in his presence like a rabbit does with predators and then fleeing in fear,...

Melinda compares herself to a bunny rabbit to illustrate her feelings of vulnerability and fear. She perceives herself as small, defenseless, and constantly on edge, much like a rabbit that is always...

In Speak, Melinda names various high school cliques such as Jocks, Country Clubbers, Cheerleaders, Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, and more. These cliques are important as they reflect...

When Melinda looks at herself in mirrors, she sees someone who is "ugly" and unworthy of love. For much of the book, Melinda actively avoids mirrors because her reflection is a reminder of her trauma.

In Speak, Melinda decides to skip school because she realizes that the time she spends on her own away from her peers, her teachers, and her parents actually makes her feel a bit better and more at...

In Speak, Melinda Sordino's journey centers on overcoming trauma and regaining her voice after being raped by Andy Evans. Initially ostracized and silenced, Melinda's goals include surviving high...

In "Speak," Melinda Sordino's depression is evident through selective mutism, self-harm, withdrawal, and physical symptoms. After being sexually assaulted, she isolates herself, often hiding in a...

During the meeting with the principal in "Speak," Melinda's parents react by blaming each other and the school for Melinda's issues, illustrating their inability to understand her deep pain and...

The narrator's sarcastic and humorous observations in Speak reflect her true feelings of isolation and disconnection from others due to depression and social separation. Melinda uses humor and...

In Speak, Melinda tells Rachel the truth about Andy through a written conversation in Melinda's notebook. Melinda finds Rachel in the library. As they need to be quiet, they decide to have a written...

Melinda's character in Speak is reflected through quotes and diction that convey her isolation and trauma. Her use of short, fragmented sentences and a sarcastic tone highlights her internal struggle...

In the novel Speak, Melinda receives a Valentine card from Heather. Despite initially hoping it might be from her lab partner, David Petrakis, the card turns out to be from Heather, who had...

The chapter "A Night to Remember" is a flashback chapter in which Melinda recounts the events of her rape.

Melinda's relationship with her family is "fractured" and distant, as her parents are preoccupied with their own lives and unable to understand or support her after her trauma. They lack the tools to...

In Speak, teachers are portrayed as largely indifferent or ineffective in addressing Melinda's struggles. Many fail to notice her distress or offer meaningful support, reflecting a broader theme of...

The description of "Hairwoman" in "Speak" symbolizes Melinda's own struggles with expression and self-consciousness. Melinda's observations about Hairwoman's hidden face and quirky behavior mirror...

Melinda relates herself to Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter, recognizing a shared experience of shame and social ostracism. Both characters are victims of a patriarchal society, and Melinda...

The resolution of Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak" is empowering for Melinda as she learns to assert her voice and no longer blames herself for her assault. She warns Rachel about "IT" and stands up...

Melinda in Speak reflects on her struggles and feelings through several key quotes. She expresses a desire to be an artist, highlighting art as her coping mechanism. She wrestles with the need to...

Melinda refers to herself as a "wounded zebra" to express her feelings of isolation and vulnerability on her first day of high school. She feels like a zebra separated from its herd, surrounded by...

In Speak, David helps Melinda by being kind to her and encouraging her to speak her thoughts.

In the third marking period, Melinda's isolation deepens as she is ostracized for calling the police at a party and struggles with the trauma of being raped by Andy Evans. Heather ends their...

In the book, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, there are strong connections to the author Maya Angelou. Melinda is able to identify with Maya's character through her own experience of being traumatized...

In the fourth marking period of Speak, key events include Melinda's increasing self-acceptance and her confrontation with her attacker, Andy. She finds the courage to speak out about her trauma,...

Melinda's former "clan" in "Speak" consisted of her middle school friends Rachel, Ivy, and Nicole, known as the "Plain Janes." This group disbanded after Melinda called the police at a summer party...

In "Speak," Melinda nicknames the high school's principal "Principal Principal." She does this because she sees him as merely a functionary of the school, not a person with individuality. To her, he...

Melinda flees the cafeteria after Andy Evans, who previously assaulted her, approaches her table and twirls her ponytail. This triggers her trauma, causing her to run to the bathroom, where she...

Melinda endures many forms of mistreatment throughout the book. It all adds up to a very sad life for a fifteen-year-old girl.

Melinda in "Speak" compares herself to Alice in Wonderland, feeling like Alice when her house seems to shrink around her. She imagines that if "Alice in Wonderland" were written today, Alice might...

Ms. Keen’s sudden change in appearance, wearing a purple dress with blue roses instead of her usual orange polyester, surprises Melinda and her classmates, symbolizing the possibility of change. This...

The narrator conveys a tone of apprehension and anxiety. The mention of "seven new notebooks," "a skirt I hate," and "a stomachache" reflects Melinda's dread and discomfort about starting high...

Higher-level thinking questions for pages 61-80 in Speak include: Why does Melinda dig turkey bones from the trash and use them in art class? How have Ivy and Melinda's relationship changed, and what...

Melinda reveals that during the previous summer, she was raped by Andy Evans at a party, which prompted her to call the police. However, she was unable to disclose the assault due to feelings of...

Melinda stands up to Andy after several key experiences. First, she realizes the danger Rachel faces with Andy, prompting her to acknowledge the attack as rape. Second, her friendship with Ivy and...

On Halloween, Melinda reads Dracula instead of going trick-or-treating. This choice is symbolic, reflecting her feelings of being a social outcast and her trauma from a male predator. In Laurie Halse...

In Speak, Melinda's actions and motivations regarding Rachel are driven by her desire to protect her former friend from the trauma she herself endured. Despite their strained relationship, Melinda...

Melinda's decision to do her report for Mr. Neck on suffragettes is significant in a few complex ways. For one, most readers would agree that it seems healthy for Melinda to research and report on...

The exposition of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak introduces Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman in Syracuse, NY, who is isolated from her peers and emotionally disturbed. Key characters include...

The author of Speak uses a specific dialogue style to convey Melinda's inner voice, highlighting her marginalization in high school. Through dialogue interpreted in Melinda's voice, readers...

The quote reveals the narrator's poor self-image and low self-esteem, reflecting her feelings of isolation and alienation. Melinda, the narrator, perceives herself as not fitting in due to her...

Melinda's reaction to her Christmas gifts from her parents is emotionally complex. She receives gift certificates, a TV, ice skates, and a sketch pad with charcoal pencils. Her parents'...