Character Analysis Of Melinda In Speak

The novel has a lot of information in it with a lot different meanings. The novel takes place in teens perspective going through high school named Melinda. Melinda is going through a lot in high school which can be seen. At the beginning Melinda wouldn’t talk about her problems to anyone which made her life terrible, she was a block of ice keeping all her emotions on the inside. Then Melinda towards the middle started to thaw out a little and found someone she could really trust and where she felt safe. Finally, Melinda at the end fully thawed out and recovered, she found people she could talk to and trust. With these three ideas, the author's purpose of the novel Speak is that to solve a problem is to thaw out and speak up about the problem at hand.

For example, during an event at school one of Melinda’s classmates questioned an action of hers, but Melinda refused to speak up and explain herself. Evidence from the text that shows this is, “Aren’t you the one who called the cops at Kyle Rodger’s party at the end of the summer… I can’t believe you did that… You don’t understand, my head voice answers,” (Anderson 27-28). Melinda’s lack of speaking has also lead her to getting in trouble even though she is not at fault. One example that shows this is, We meet again… “Would he listen to I need to go home and change or did you see what that bozo did? Not a chance. I keep my mouth shut,” (Anderson 9). Lastly, when Melinda was approached with help, she refused to take it even when the guidance counselor and her parents were trying to help. Part of the text that shows this is, “This is childish Melinda. Say something. You are only hurting yourself by refusing to cooperate,” (Anderson 114). Melinda’s lack of speaking about her problems made her life even