Speak

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.

The mirrors in Speak symbolize Melinda's perception of herself—she sees herself in a negative light and therefore cannot stand to look in a mirror.

In Speak, Melinda Sordino's aversion to mirrors symbolizes her self-loathing and trauma following her rape. She hides mirrors or distorts her reflection to avoid confronting her perceived ugliness....

In Speak, Melinda's bedroom closet serves as a sanctuary where she processes her trauma and isolation. It is a space for reflection, allowing her to express her emotions through art and graffiti. The...

In "Speak," two important questions focus on silence and voice reclamation. First, how is Melinda received after the party and when her silence begins? She faces scorn and rejection from her peers....