Depression isn’t something that has the capability of being physically seen. Those who suffer from it might show signs, but it requires a lot for someone to look closely, pay attention, and discover what is occurring within that person’s mind. In the novel Speak written by Laurie Halse Anderson, the use of symbolism assists in portraying an unspoken theme of depression. The author shows this through the janitor’s closet, the turkey sculpture, and the constant mentioning of trees.
Depression can cause people to alienate themselves and their thoughts from others. Throughout the novel, the symbolism of the old janitor’s closet that Melinda claims as her own helps present this. Firstly, after stumbling into it while seeking out a place to evade …show more content…
For instance, as Mr. Freeman is looking over the sculpture he mentions that the melted plastic palm tree must represent “a broken dream” (Anderson 64). Thoughts of a palm tree may cause one to reminisce about vacation or peacefulness, however, the fact that it’s melted destroys that feeling of freedom. In Melinda’s case, it serves as a symbol for her dreams and innocence that the events at the party destroyed. This shows just how much that night affected her and how much damage it left behind. Secondly, as Melinda adds more to her sculpture, she realizes that “there is no place for the palm tree,” and tosses it aside (Anderson 64). As Mr. Freeman stated, the palm tree represents her dreams that the occurrence at the party ruined, and the fact that she throws it aside is showing that she’s completely given up on them, and thus, discards them. There’s no room for it in her life anymore due to the constant anxiety and depression she deals with on a daily basis. Finally, to finish off the sculpture, Melinda takes the Barbie head, and sets it “on top of the bony carcass,” and places “a piece of tape over barbie’s mouth” (Anderson 64). The head represents her, and the bones represent her mind. With these two together, it expresses how trapped she feels within her own head. Believing that it’s best to keep her feelings confined within herself, Melinda doesn’t …show more content…
Anderson shows this through the janitor’s closet that Melinda claims as her own, her turkey sculpture, and her connection with trees. These details may seem small or insignificant to some, however, each of them have their own separate meaning that shows just how damaging Melinda’s depression was. This is a real issue that affects many people throughout the world, and a majority of the time it’s not easy to spot. Nonetheless, if one is able to notice and analyze these details they may be able to discover what actually going on within that person, and help them
Depression can cause people to alienate themselves and their thoughts from others. Throughout the novel, the symbolism of the old janitor’s closet that Melinda claims as her own helps present this. Firstly, after stumbling into it while seeking out a place to evade …show more content…
For instance, as Mr. Freeman is looking over the sculpture he mentions that the melted plastic palm tree must represent “a broken dream” (Anderson 64). Thoughts of a palm tree may cause one to reminisce about vacation or peacefulness, however, the fact that it’s melted destroys that feeling of freedom. In Melinda’s case, it serves as a symbol for her dreams and innocence that the events at the party destroyed. This shows just how much that night affected her and how much damage it left behind. Secondly, as Melinda adds more to her sculpture, she realizes that “there is no place for the palm tree,” and tosses it aside (Anderson 64). As Mr. Freeman stated, the palm tree represents her dreams that the occurrence at the party ruined, and the fact that she throws it aside is showing that she’s completely given up on them, and thus, discards them. There’s no room for it in her life anymore due to the constant anxiety and depression she deals with on a daily basis. Finally, to finish off the sculpture, Melinda takes the Barbie head, and sets it “on top of the bony carcass,” and places “a piece of tape over barbie’s mouth” (Anderson 64). The head represents her, and the bones represent her mind. With these two together, it expresses how trapped she feels within her own head. Believing that it’s best to keep her feelings confined within herself, Melinda doesn’t …show more content…
Anderson shows this through the janitor’s closet that Melinda claims as her own, her turkey sculpture, and her connection with trees. These details may seem small or insignificant to some, however, each of them have their own separate meaning that shows just how damaging Melinda’s depression was. This is a real issue that affects many people throughout the world, and a majority of the time it’s not easy to spot. Nonetheless, if one is able to notice and analyze these details they may be able to discover what actually going on within that person, and help them