Melinda was able to speak at the end of the novel Speak by Laurie Hals Anderson, because she ultimately realized that she had the vital support surrounding her. At the beginning of the novel, Melinda has lost all of her friends due to a misunderstanding during the summer, however as the book moves along she establishes valuable connections with new and old people.
Ivy and Melinda had gone through a troublesome time in their friendship, but by renewing the connection they had the past year, Melinda then had someone she knew she could trust. Ivy never bullied Melinda, but she grew apart from Melinda when Rachel and Nicole did, when Melinda sees Ivy and other “people [she] used to think were [her] friends, they look away” (9), however towards the end of the year Melinda starts to open up to Ivy about what happened over the summer by making her list of “Guys to Stay Away From” on the bathroom wall (175). Throughout the year it is present that Melinda and Ivy’s friendship evolves and Melinda is then able to trust Ivy with the truth.
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Freeman, the art teacher, assisted and encouraged Melinda all year in class to make her tree drawing come alive, which helped make her recognize that it was crucial that she spoke to give herself life. When Melinda first started high school, she showed an evident dislike for the teachers, she even wrote a list called “The First Ten Lies They Tell You In High School” with number one being, “We are here to help you” (5), however as the school year continues, Mr. Freeman continues to encourage Melinda to realize that her tree doesn’t need to be perfect to make it right. Mr. Freeman is a genuinely caring teacher that wants to assist her and makes that overt when he asks, “You’ve been through a lot haven’t you?”