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Speak Tree Symbolism

1050 Words5 Pages

Liam Arnold
Mr. Bramanti
English 9 CP
30 May 2023
Speak Essay In Speak, a realistic fiction story written by Laurie Halse Anderson, trees are a recurring symbol and are of great importance to the progression of the book and Melinda. Trees are used and described in the book as complex, difficult, and complicated. There are many similarities between Melinda’s social life just like the tree's complexion. Melinda’s life progresses throughout the story along with the tree progressing through the seasons. Throughout the story a tree is used as a symbol because of its complex nature and relatability to Melinda’s life. Melinda is in art class when she is struggling on drawing a tree thinking that the tree needs to be perfect. Melinda believes that …show more content…

Melinda’s father one day is outside when a neighbor is cutting down all the dead branches from a tree. A little boy comes rushing down the street saying that he is hurting the tree and asking Melinda’s father to do something. Melinda’s father then explains how the man is not hurting the tree but rather helping out the tree and removing dead branches in order to give more room to new branches. In marking period four, Melinda’s father tells the boy, "He's not chopping it down. He's saving it…By cutting off the damage, you make it possible for the tree to grow again. You watch-by the end of summer, this tree will be the strongest on the block." (Halse Anderson 187). This quote further enhances Melinda’s similarities between trees and herself as she learns from her father that as the man cuts down dead tree branches it will rid the tree from disease and toxicity giving the tree more room and space to grow. This is similar to Melinda as she rid herself from the toxicity of her old friend group in middle school. It is here where she learns that she will become stronger by getting rid of toxic people in her life and have more room to grow as a person as if those dead branches or friends were holding her back. After these wise words from her father, Melinda comes back to school and finally truly understands

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