0
Speak - Novel
The New York Times best selling book, "Speak," was written by Laurie Halse Anderson, and first published in 1999. "Speak" faces the social issue of teen rape, and follows the struggle of the main character, Melinda, as she keeps the fact she was sexually assaulted a secret.
266 Questions
Is there any personification in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson?
I found these:
- "The room screams Heather" (p. 33).
- "My brain doesn't think we should spend any time hanging around algebra" (p.39).
- "The school bus wheezes to my corner" (p. 3).
Are there puns in the book Speak and if so where?
Yes, there are puns in the book "Speak." For example, the main character's last name is "Sordino," which is a play on the word "sordid." The puns help add depth to the story and reflect the character's internal struggles.
Are there Notes on book Speak?
Yes, "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson has extensive analysis guides, summaries, and study resources available online. These notes can help readers gain a deeper understanding of the themes, characters, and symbolism in the book.
What happens in the final confrontation between Melinda and Andy in the book Speak?
In the final confrontation between Melinda and Andy in the book "Speak," Melinda confronts Andy about the assault he committed against her at a party. She finally finds her voice and speaks up, revealing the truth about what happened that night. Andy denies it at first, but eventually realizes he can't escape the consequences of his actions.
How did Christmas go for Melinda from the book Speak?
The night before Thanksgiving, Melinda's mom stayed up all night on the laptop and forgot about cooking the turkey for dinner. Melinda thinks it's like a holy obligation to her mom to fix a Thanksgiving dinner, and is what makes her a wife and mother. Her dad watches football while her mom is still cooking. She is having a lot of trouble with the turkey so she goes to the store. While she goes to the store, her dad takes over dinner. He calls for pizza.
Speak - Why does Melinda finally tell Mr.Freeman about her story?
Melinda tells Mr. Freeman about her story because she finds solace in his support and understanding. He creates a safe space for her to express her feelings and experiences without judgment, allowing her to begin to heal from her trauma and find her voice. By sharing her story with him, Melinda takes a first step towards accepting her past and breaking free from her silence.
What is the same and the different of the plot of the book Speak?
The plot of the book "Speak" revolves around a high school freshman named Melinda who stops speaking after being raped at a party. The book explores Melinda's journey to find her voice and speak out about her trauma. The similarities in the plot include the central theme of trauma and healing, while the differences may lie in the specific aspects of the characters, setting, and resolution of the story.
In the book "Speak," Melinda struggles with whether to warn Rachel about Andy's true nature after what happened to her at the party. She battles fear, guilt, and the potential consequences of speaking out against popular students. Melinda ultimately decides to tell Rachel the truth, showing her courage and sense of responsibility towards her friend's safety.
What mood does Melinda's art project evoke in Mr Freeman?
Melinda's art project evokes admiration and respect in Mr. Freeman. He recognizes Melinda's talent, honesty, and courage in expressing herself through her artwork. He sees her art as a powerful form of communication and a way for her to find her voice and heal.
3 decisions that melinda makes from speak?
- Melinda decides not to speak about the traumatic event that led to her becoming an outcast among her peers.
- Melinda decides to express herself through her art, finding solace and healing in her ability to create.
- Melinda chooses to stand up for herself and confront her attacker, ultimately finding her voice and reclaiming her sense of self-worth.
What does Melinda think Andy's cologne is called In speak?
Melinda thinks Andy's cologne is called "Sex God." It is actually "Do it to Julia" which is a reference to the novel "1984" by George Orwell.
What are some characteristics of the protagonist in the book Speak?
The protagonist in the book Speak, Melinda Sordino, is described as withdrawn, struggling with trauma, and finding her voice through art. She is portrayed as intelligent and artistic, but also isolated and marginalized by her peers. Through her journey, she learns to speak up and confront her past.
What is her relationship with her parents In the book speak?
In the book "Speak," the main character Melinda's relationship with her parents is strained. They are distant and preoccupied with their own lives, leaving Melinda feeling isolated and unsupported. Melinda struggles to communicate with them about her experiences and feelings, leading to further disconnect in their relationship.
In the novel speak what happens in the cafeteria that makes Melinda run out of the lunchroom?
In the novel "Speak," Melinda runs out of the cafeteria after being publicly humiliated by her former friend, Rachel, and the other students when a misunderstanding about Melinda calling the police on a summer party leads to her being shunned and ostracized. This event is a turning point for Melinda as she starts to withdraw further into herself and struggles with the trauma she is carrying.
What does the closet represent in speak?
In the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, the closet symbolizes the main character's isolation, fear, and trauma. It serves as a physical space where she hides from her emotions and the reality of her trauma, ultimately reflecting her struggle to find her voice and speak up about what happened to her.
What are summaries of the characters of Speak?
"Speak" follows the protagonist Melinda, who is struggling to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic experience. Melinda is introspective, isolated, and determined to find her voice. Other characters include her former friends who have turned against her and a supportive teacher who encourages her to speak up and seek help.
What is exposition in the book Speak?
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, exposition refers to the opening chapters where the protagonist, Melinda, is introduced along with the setting, her high school, and the event that has affected her deeply. The exposition sets the stage for the story's main conflict and themes surrounding trauma and healing.
What is melinda's home life like in speak?
In the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda's home life is strained and difficult. Her parents are distant and preoccupied with their own problems, leaving Melinda feeling isolated and unsupported. She retreats into her own thoughts and struggles to find her voice to express what happened to her at a party.
Were does melinda's mom work in speak?
Melinda's mom works in a clothing store in the novel "Speak." She is described as being obsessed with her job and spends long hours working there.
Who is the main character in Speak?
The main character in "Speak" is Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman who becomes increasingly isolated after being sexually assaulted at a party. She struggles to find her voice and speak up about what happened to her.
How does Melinda's tree art reflect her inner emotions?
They symbolize Melinda and her emotional journey. But after her resulting depression (like winter) she is able to recover and regrow her leaves in spring.
there was one part in this but i would rather not write it in
What are examples of alliteration from speak by Laurie Anderson?
"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."
Where is the Metaphor in the novel speak?
Maya Angelou in the author of I know why the cage bird sings. Melinda places a poster of Angelou in her closet. She admires Angelou because her novel was banned by the school board. Melinda and Angelou were both outcasts. Like Melinda, Angelou was silenced following her childhood rape.
How does the tree symbolize Melinda in the book Speak?
Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak (1999) walks the reader through a typical year as a high schooler. The narrator, Melinda, experiences the brutal side of adolescence, including the ever-present cliques, bullies, and petty fights. By using powerful symbols Anderson brings this novel to life. The images of lips and trees tell Melinda's story, eventually helping her accept the tragedy she has endured.
Anderson first introduces the tree symbol when Melinda chooses her art class topic (p. 12). She involuntarily gets "tree"; however it is evident that the author purposely wrote this object into the text. Anderson could have given Melinda any generic topic to turn into art; however she uses a tree, which typically symbolizes life. In contrast, the tree symbolizes death in Speak since Melinda is dying inside by hiding the details of her rape. Whenever Melinda tries to create her tree in art class, she struggles. Her tree lacks dimension; she "can't bring it to life" (p. 78).
The tree symbol reappears in Melinda's fascination with raking leaves. In an effort to beautify her yard, Melinda cleans piles of neglected leaves out of the bushes in front of her house. She works with the "dead leaves still clinging to the oak branches by the street" (p. 167). Melinda is like these leaves; she feels dead inside and struggles to remain safe, just as the leaves struggle to grasp onto the branches. Not to mention, the tree in Melinda's front yard is literally rotting. Her dad points out that the "branches on the left don't have any buds" (p. 167). One section of the tree is decaying and if left untreated, it will cause the entire tree to weaken and collapse. Melinda's life after the rape is like the sick part of the tree; her pain and suffering threaten to cross over to the other aspects of her life and ruin her entirely.
after Melinda lets go of her painful secret, she becomes able to successfully draw her tree for art class. Mr. Freeman's words of advice empower Melinda. When he explains that "perfect trees don't exist", Melinda accepts the pain she has experienced, realizing that the rape was not her fault (p. 153). When Melinda expresses that her "tree is definitely breathing", the reader sees that she is breathing and is moving on with her life. Regarding her tree drawing, Melinda remarks, "one of the lower branches is sick ... that branch better drop soon so it doesn't kill the whole thing". It is evident that she knows that we humans cannot allow tragedies to break our spirits. She acknowledges that her future is bright when commenting that the "new growth [of the tree] is the best part" (p. 196).
What is the explanation of the turkey bones in the book speak?
The turkey carcass represents Melinda who has suffered a great deal of pain and anguish recently (much like the turkey must have felt while her parents were trying to cook it). The turkey bones are now raw and exposed which is how Melinda feels. The Barbie head has tape over its mouth, this symbolizes the fact that Melinda feels like she cannot speak or communicate her troubles with anyone. The knife and fork represent the threat of danger around Melinda; she feels as if she is being torn apart.
