A symbol is a representation of something. A symbol is often a material or object signifying something abstract. In the novel speaks by Laurie Hassle Anderson, the use of symbolism helps the reader better understand the inner working of the main character. Laurie uses mirrors, blood, a Maya Angelo poster, seeds, plants, and trees to help the reader better understand Melinda.
Mirrors. At the begging of the novel speak Melinda hates mirrors. Melinda thinks that her reflection looks ugly in her bedroom mirror, and she covers up the mirror in her closet with a Maya Angelo poster. Throughout the novel Melinda whenever she sees her reflection, notices her flaws and is disgusted by herself. This hatred of her own image symbloizes deeper self-loothing melidna believes that it is her adult that andy Evans raped her. She finally comes to an understatement that he assaults faults Melinda has always hated herself for what she perceives as her weakness and stupidity \. Toward the end of the book. Melinda uses a mirror as a weapon. She shattered the one in her janitor's closet to try to threaten andy Evans as he tries to rape her again. She has at least, regained control over her image
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Blood comes up throughout the novel. Blood represents both life and death. Blood also has a connection with adulthood. Blood represents the pain that she feels but cannot speak, her blood is the proof that she has been injured. This association with bleeding is upsetting when Melinda's mother reacts dismissively and costly when she sees that her daughter has been hurting herself. Melinda has essentially shown evidence of her hurting inside which her mother ignored. lastly, in the moment when Melinda draws “one drop of blood” from the neck of andy Evans ( her rapist). Then Melinda returned the