Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson Symbolism

According to the NSVRC, 81% of women and 43% of men report sexual assault or rape in their lifetime. The critical literacy novel Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, takes place at Merryweather High. Melinda is starting her first year of high school with all of her freshman friends. Melinda has to face the hatred of everyone towards her because of one summer night party. Most people in ninth grade hate Melinda. This is because at a party during the summer Melinda called the cops after getting raped. Melinda had left before the cops showed up, but people still got arrested. As Melinda is walking into class she wonders if her friends from last year will still want to be her friends. Speak by Anderson utilizes symbolism, inner thinking, and first

On page 12 it says, “He stops at my table. I plunge my hand into the bottom of the globe and fish out my paper. ‘Tree.’ Tree? It’s too easy. I learned how to draw a tree in second grade. I reach in for another piece of paper. Mr. Freeman shakes his head. ‘Ah-ah-ah,’ he says. ‘You just chose your destiny, you can’t change that.”’ This is symbolism because the tree symbolizes Melinda’s destiny. Another time where symbolism is obvious is on page 16. “Homework is not an option. My bed is sending out serious nap rays. I can’t help myself. The fluffy pillows and warm comforter are more powerful than I am. I have no choice but to snuggle under the covers.” In this quote, the symbol is her room. Melinda’s room symbolizes a safe space and

The most compelling evidence is on page 45 where it says, “I hide in the bathroom until I know Heather’s bus has left. The salt in my tears feels good when it stings my lips. I wash my face in the sink until there is nothing left of it, no eyes, no nose, no mouth. A slick Nothing.” This evidence shows how Melinda is feeling. Another key point is on page 53. On page 53 it says, “How could she know this? I don’t know what I’m doing in the next five minutes and she has the next ten years figured out. I’ll worry about making it out of ninth grade alive. Then I’ll think about a career path.” This quote shows how Melinda is thinking about the