Because Melinda's 9th grade year really parallels Maya Angelou's childhood.
Maya Angelou, like Melinda in the story, was also raped as a young girl. After Melinda told of the rape (a friend of her father's) he was beaten to death....and because of this Maya became afraid to speak. She remained a mute for five years, till a teacher of hers got her to start talking again by introducing her to literature, and begin writing.
Just like Melinda was raped, became a mute, and was brought out of her shell by her art teacher.
Laurie Halse Anderson likely chose a poster of Maya Angelou for Melinda in "Speak" to symbolize resilience, strength, and empowerment. Maya Angelou's work and life story often revolve around themes of overcoming adversity and finding one's voice, which aligns with Melinda's journey in the novel. The poster may serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for Melinda as she navigates through her own struggles.
Maya Angelou was also raped as a young child and then became mute for five years after the incident. Not only did Maya overcome this tragedy in her life but she went on to become a famous poet who was well known for her elegant way of wording things. Not only did Maya speak up about her assault, she bravely stood up to a nation.
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda steals her mother's credit card to pay for her art supplies.
Laurie Halse Anderson includes Maya Angelou in her novel "Speak" to draw a parallel between the experiences of the protagonist, Melinda, and Maya Angelou's autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" where Angelou also deals with themes of trauma and silence around sexual assault. By referencing Maya Angelou, Anderson highlights the importance of finding one's voice and speaking up about difficult experiences.
melinda sordino
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Heather unfriends Melinda on page 122.
melinda's rapist
Melinda advocates for women suffragettes in Chapter 40 of the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. In this chapter, she expresses her views on women's rights and the importance of standing up for equality.
Melinda's social studies teacher.
In the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, one metaphor that stands out is the use of a tree as a symbol for the main character's journey toward healing and self-discovery. The tree represents growth, resilience, and finding one's voice, which parallels the protagonist's own journey throughout the story.
"Melinda moved mincingly to the music." This example from the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson showcases alliteration with the repeated "m" sound in "moved," "mincingly," and "music."
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, the character Melinda reads "The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Allan Poe on Halloween.
No, in the story Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda brings her lunch to school on the first day rather than buying it. She chooses a quiet spot to eat alone in the cafeteria.
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda hides out in an abandoned janitor's closet at her high school. She transforms the closet into a space where she feels safe and can escape from the difficulties she faces at school and at home.