Transformation and Development
Humans set themselves apart from other life forms as a “superior species”. The ability to communicate efficiently enables us to make social, political, and technological advances that other species cannot. When we do not use this ability, we can slowly dwindle into a mere shadow of ourselves. In the novel Speak, Melinda Sordino declines to use her words, thereby declining the very thing that sets her apart from others, coming close to being one of these shadows. Throughout Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson associates a tree with Melinda to symbolize her foundations, pain, and healing.
Throughout the book, readers follow the events of Melinda’s life, as well as occasional glimpses at her past. We view her roots, in …show more content…
When David Petrakis, her lab partner, invites her to a pizza party, part of Melinda wants to go. She tells herself that “He wasn’t going to try anything… You worry too much”(132), but despite this, she doesn’t go, her other half telling her to “Assume the worst. Plan for disaster”(132). Through this friendship, as well as her friendship with a fellow art student named Ivy, Melinda begins to regrow. After an incident with markers in art class,Melinda and Ivy go to the bathroom to clean Melinda’s shirt. In a moment of inspiration, Melinda writes “Guys to stay away from. The first entry is the Beast himself: Andy Evans"(175) on the stall door. Later, Ivy brings Melinda back to show her the stall, now covered in writing telling about Andy’s misdeeds. Melinda is ecstatic about this. To her, “It's better than taking out a billboard. [She] feel[s] like [she] can fly”(186).
Throughout Speak, Melinda overcomes the disease threatening to overtake her. Much like a tree, Melinda is in danger of dying due to lack of care. Through careful pruning and periods of healing, Melinda recovers, though not unscathed. She still bears the burden of what happened to her over the summer; however, she now has others to help her through her difficulties. During life, everyone faces struggles. These can be faced with the help of others, so long as people speak. Without speech, humans lose our ability to communicate; therefore,
Humans set themselves apart from other life forms as a “superior species”. The ability to communicate efficiently enables us to make social, political, and technological advances that other species cannot. When we do not use this ability, we can slowly dwindle into a mere shadow of ourselves. In the novel Speak, Melinda Sordino declines to use her words, thereby declining the very thing that sets her apart from others, coming close to being one of these shadows. Throughout Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson associates a tree with Melinda to symbolize her foundations, pain, and healing.
Throughout the book, readers follow the events of Melinda’s life, as well as occasional glimpses at her past. We view her roots, in …show more content…
When David Petrakis, her lab partner, invites her to a pizza party, part of Melinda wants to go. She tells herself that “He wasn’t going to try anything… You worry too much”(132), but despite this, she doesn’t go, her other half telling her to “Assume the worst. Plan for disaster”(132). Through this friendship, as well as her friendship with a fellow art student named Ivy, Melinda begins to regrow. After an incident with markers in art class,Melinda and Ivy go to the bathroom to clean Melinda’s shirt. In a moment of inspiration, Melinda writes “Guys to stay away from. The first entry is the Beast himself: Andy Evans"(175) on the stall door. Later, Ivy brings Melinda back to show her the stall, now covered in writing telling about Andy’s misdeeds. Melinda is ecstatic about this. To her, “It's better than taking out a billboard. [She] feel[s] like [she] can fly”(186).
Throughout Speak, Melinda overcomes the disease threatening to overtake her. Much like a tree, Melinda is in danger of dying due to lack of care. Through careful pruning and periods of healing, Melinda recovers, though not unscathed. She still bears the burden of what happened to her over the summer; however, she now has others to help her through her difficulties. During life, everyone faces struggles. These can be faced with the help of others, so long as people speak. Without speech, humans lose our ability to communicate; therefore,