In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree. " When reading the novel Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, the reader will steadily notice that, as the story goes on, Melinda's artistic abilities will improve. In this essay, I will explain how trees are used to portray Melinda's transformation, by using quotes from the text and support to back it up. In her first Art class, Melinda randomly chooses the "tree" as the object she will try to draw for the rest of her school year.
Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle (Napoleon Hill). In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the tree is an important symbol of growth and courage through difficult times. The main character, Melinda, went through a series of unfathomable events over the summer that put her into a troublesome position. She was raped by a boy named Andy at a party while she was drunk. Scared and confused, she called the cops to come help her, resulting in her losing all her friends.
When Melinda is at school
Their restraint is in reference to the family and their inability to thrive. Another effort to make the internment camp more familiar was the use of street signs “suddenly there was an Elm Street, a Willow Street, a Cottonwood Way… “It doesn’t look like we’ll be leaving here any time soon,” said the boys’ mother. “At least we know where we are,” said the girl.” (Otsuka 102). As trees are representative of home, familiarity, and family, the appearance of street signs mimic the idea of home.
During the first chapter of When the
Finding your true passion can brighten your mental health and change your life. Especially if that passion is art, just like Melinda Sordino’s. Trees in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, serve an essential purpose as an object that symbolizes Melinda Sordino's mental health, and the growth that follows. Ever since she has been assigned trees for her art project, her life began to change. When she draws trees, it acts as an important reflection and checks in with her inner mental health and mind about the issues and feelings she is experiencing.
In the story, “Names/Nombres,” by Julia Alverez, a young girl named Julia had strong Caribbean heritage, despite growing up in America . One problem she faces on a daily basis is the pronunciation of her own name. During school hours, she has noticed that many people manage to figure out ways to incorrectly pronounce her name, creating new and similar sounding names. Julia had a hard time getting used to her newfound titles and eventually got called far fetched names like Jules or Judy Alcatraz. Sometimes, Julia’s classmates would question her “exotic” heritage, curious to learn more about her, which only made her more embarrassed and singled out as different.
As a handicapper general of Sisler High School, it is my duty to ensure everyone in this school is equal. No student is higher than the other. For example, it is my job to make sure Kamryn Mendoza is equal to the rest of her peers. I have to eliminate her off her special advantages and help her with her weaknesses. Kamryn is musically talented.
My book club text, "Nowhere Girl" by Cheryl Diamond, is an excellent example of a window, mirror, and sliding glass door. A mirror "reflects on more aspects of your identity and experiences. " In the memoir, Cheryl is a girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is constantly comparing herself to her teammates and feels insecure. Her perspective on herself is shaped by how she views herself in relation to others.
Hanna has what the narrator describes as the perfect life. Her parents are together, her house is friendly and her dad even visits their fifth-grade class. The two best friends were perfectly content with their life and no matter what they would not be separated nor turn against each other. “We were the girls with the wrong school supplies, and everything we did after that, even the things done just like everyone else, were the wrong things to do” (Horrock 473). Hanna and the narrator did not care whether they were doing the wrong thing socially, as long as they had each other.
Soon Michael “began writing [himself], [so he] read these pieces aloud to her as well” (Schlink 185). “Hanna became the court before which once again [he] concentrated all [his] energies, all [his] creativity, all [his] critical imagination” (Schlink 185). Hanna is the be all and end all for Michael. Even without speaking for over a decade, he still values her opinion of himself the
Art is way of expression. People can use actions and art or express themselves in ways other than speaking. In the book Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, symbolism holds a big significance. The trees mentioned throughout the book symbolize Melinda’s changing “seasons” (her “growing” as a person). People, like trees, go through phases, they freeze in the winter, becoming nothing but lonely limbs without leaves covered with white slush.
Near the end of the novel she observes, “In the years she had been tying scraps to the branches, the tree had died and the fruit turned bitter. The other apple trees were hale and healthy, but this one, the tree of her remembrances, were as black and twisted as the bombed-out town behind it.” (Hannah 368) The apple tree represents the outcomes of war. It portrays the author’s perspective that lives wither and lose life due to such violence.
