Well, to begin, I believe is symbolizes her ongoing growth from the rape. She began a strong, healthy "tree"; however, after she was raped, the tree started dying--infected (hence the tree at her house). After she overcame those difficulties, she began regrowing into this new vivacious person--much like how the tree would grow once more.
In the book Speak, Melinda draws a droopy Willow tree.
It represents Melinda's pain.
In the novel "Speak," Melinda paints a tree in art class the week after the pep rally. This tree symbolizes her inner struggles and emotions that she is unable to express verbally. She uses art as an outlet to convey her feelings.
In Laurie Halse Anderson's novel "Speak," Melinda sees herself as similar to the diseased tree in her backyard because they are both struggling to survive under difficult circumstances. The tree's leaves are slowly falling off, just as Melinda isolates herself from her friends and family. By nurturing the tree back to health, Melinda finds hope for her own healing and growth.
she has multiple projects, her first one was the turkey bone project which was a barbie head on a turkey with bones and forks and knives for legs. Then the tree was something she was working on the whole year and it represented her loneliness and then there was her other tree, the cubism tree which was a whole bunch of weird shapes.
In the book "Speak," the baggy clothes represent the main character, Melinda's, desire to hide and protect herself from others. They symbolize her withdrawal and attempt to shield herself from the trauma and pain she experienced. Over time, as Melinda heals and gains confidence, her clothing choices evolve, reflecting her growth and self-acceptance.
In the story "Speak," a new student named Heather introduces herself to Melinda in the first marking period. Heather tries to befriend Melinda, but Melinda struggles to open up to her due to her trauma from a recent traumatic event.
Melinda
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In the novel Speak, Melinda's parents are at a conference the night of Kyle's party. This allows Melinda to go to the party without them knowing.
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda is in detention with Rachel Bruin. Rachel is one of Melinda's former friends who no longer speaks to her after Melinda called the police at a party over the summer.
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda calls the cops on page 125. This is a significant moment in the story as it marks Melinda's decision to speak up about what happened to her at the party.