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Symbolism

Symbolism

Symbolism is basically something that represents something else. (object, event, person and etc.) The author uses symbolism to explain Melinda and what she’s been going through alone. In the beginning of the year her art teacher Mr. Freeman gives them a project for the entire year. He wanted them to make it speak to people that look at it. he told them that this year they would learn how to "feel the wind." (page 10.) She had to draw a tree, she thought it was a joke. On page 12 paragraph 3, “By the end of the year, you must figure out how to make your object say something…speak to everyone who looks at it." At first, she doesn’t take it seriously, but as time passed she had a different feeling towards it. she started to understand the project more and go through her problems better. In the end Melinda had found a way to put her feelings into her project. It was still with her but she was healing overtime. On page 198 paragraph 2, “I look at my homely sketch; even through the river in my eyes I can see that…” It’s been eating her up inside, but it will go away. “The bruises are vivid, but they will fade.” (pg 198.)

Discussion Questions
1) Why do you think Melinda thinks the project was 'to good to be true'?
2) What do you think Melinda did to actually start facing her problems?

- Ashley U.

Tone

Tone is the writer or speakers attitude towards a subject. Throughout the story, Melinda is always depressed and never in the mood for anything. She always isolated herself from the world and is an outcast in school. Shes been through so many things, but she won't say what happened. On page 28 paragraph 2, "You don't understand...I can't even look at that part of myself..." People judge her for calling the cops during the summer party, but they don't even know the entire story. Her tone is also angry towards the secret she had been keeping in. On page 51 paragraph 2, "I want to confess over the guilt and mistake and anger to someone else." The book is written in Melinda's point of view. Melinda's always used to have a negative view on everything. But in the end, she starts to face her problems.

Discussion Questions
1) Why do you think Melinda called the cops?
2) What do you think happened during the party?

- Ashley U.

Structure

Structure

           Structure is the way in which an author lays out their story. Structure consists of many different things such as one sentence paragraphs, small sentences leading to longer ones, words left alone, the way authors seperate sections of a book, and many other things like that.

 

           Speak is filled with different structure styles. Each large section of the book is devised into marking periods. Four marking periods take up the entire book and at each end of a marking period it shows Melinda's grades. Sections usually beginwith a one or two sentence paragraph to set the mood of the section. Marking periods are further devised into sub headings to mark special events in the book.

          

  All of the structual styles in this book set the mood and tone of the story. Diolouge in the book is usually quick and shows the way characters act. The short length going to long length sentences really create an anticipating mood as do the short ending paragraphs and sections. Single words and names also fill the book to set a tone to a characters actions during the story.

 

• Does structure change the mood to stories in your oppinion?
• Does Structure confuse you when reading a story or help you to understand it?

- Luca Damasco

Point of View

Point of view is the way in which a story is told.

- First person point of view is when the story is told directly by a character in the story. This is told in an "I watched as she walked through the door." type of way.

- Third person point of view is when the story is told through an outside narrator not related to the story. This is told in the " He said "The doctor ran away" format.

- Omniscient points of view can be both first and second person. This means that the narrator, whether first or third person, knows everything in the story.

- Limited points of view can also be first or third person. This means the narrator, whether first or third person, knows a limited amount of information pertaining to the story,

- Multiple points of view can also be used in stories. This means that omniscient and limited third and first person points of view can be used at different times in the story.

Speak is told through the first person limited view of Melinda Sordino a high school freshman at Merryweather High School. The first person view is shown in sentences and diolouge such as this excerpt from page 42 when Melinda says "I just thought of a great theory that explains everything." the book is solely in an I, she, he first person format. Melinda describes all of the characters, places, and things important to the book. 

The way Melinda sees things is a very straightforward way of thinking. For example her English teacher which she describes as someone who doesn’t comb their hair is known as "Hairwoman" and the main antagonist in the book, Andy Evans, is simply known as "IT" to personify his scariness. Through Melinda’s point of view when things aren’t going her way or she is annoyed at someone she will avoid it in a nice manner. Towards the end of the book when her old "disposable" friend Heather who had just dumped her mid story asks for her help she found an excuse to not help her because she didn’t find it right or necessary to help someone who was mean to her.

• What point of view to you is the best way to tell a story? 
• Are limited and omniscient views better when a narrator tells a story?

- Luca Damasco

 

Plot

The plot of a literary piece is basically the story line. "Speak" is a well written novel by Laurie Halse Anderson about a young girl named Melinda Sordino. She has gone through much in her life. Her parents could care less what takes place in her life. The story starts with Melinda's first day of high school. Nobody in Merryweather high likes her anymore, due to the fact that she called the cops during an end of the year party; but no one knows or really cares why, no one except Melinda. Whatever happened the night of the party, (which you find out towards the end of the book), has mentally scarred her for most of the time to come. Melinda lost all her friends, her spot on the social ladder, and most of all her pride. She is now quiet and rarely speaks to anyone, she lives inside her head, which she feels is the safest; far away from anyone else. She soon meets Heather, the peppy new girl in town. They develop some sort of a friendship, even though Melinda would rather be left alone. Even that quickly ends, when Heather abandons Melinda for a clique of girls titled "The Martha's." Melinda soon starts cutting class and failing almost every subject besides art. Mr. Freeman, who is the art teacher at Merryweather high, has Melinda draw a tree by the end of the year, which was symbolic to the growth that she was going through as a character. Over time Melinda reconnects with some old friends and gets back at what she describes as "IT", aka Andy Evans, who caused her all that pain and suffering over the months, and for the first time she is able to move on with the rest of her life. Melinda is finally able to speak again.

Discussion Questions:
1) Why do you think Melinda reffers to Andy Evans as "IT"?
2) How do you think you would react if you were in Melinda's shoes?

- Emma M.

Characterization

Three Characters

• Melinda: Melinda is the main character of the book "Speak". In the beginning of the book, she seems to isolate herself from the world. Throughout the story, she seems to be holding on to a secret that's killing her internally. She is very insecure and tries hard to stay as invisible as possible, for the fear of being seen or heard. She struggles to get through each day of what seems to be her never ending life. These traits are all results of her traumatizing past. On page 51; paragraph 2, you can see Melinda bashing on herself, personifying this dark secret as "The beast in my gut...", and claims its "scraping away at the inside of my ribs..." This shows the deep and painful emotions that Melinda is feeling, that is causing her to be so depressed. As a character, Melinda develops and grows the most. Towards the end of the novel, once she is able to let go of the past and is able to move on to the future, she thinks of herself as a new person. Melinda admits it all to herself, and is finally able to understand she can't change the past. For the first time she realizes that no matter how difficult it was, it made her the new, better Melinda she is today. This is all shown on the last page, (page 198), in the first paragraph. Melinda ends this paragraph with the inspiring words "It wasn't my fault. And I'm not going to let it kill me. I can grow."
  
• Mr. Freeman: Mr. Freeman is the art teacher is the art teacher at Merryweather High. He, like Melinda experiences many deep feelings and emotions which affect his everyday life. He easily fits into the stereo type of the "crazy art teacher." He is very outspoken and opinionated. Unlike Melinda, instead of bottling up all of his thoughts and feelings, he lets them all out through painting, which is his escape. On page 122, in the fourth paragraph; Mr. Freeman gives Melinda advice. He explains that "When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time." This paragraph shows how Mr. Freeman is as a person. It shows you how he thinks and goes about life; gives you a bit of background on his personality. Mr. Freeman doesn't necessarily grow as a character himself, but yet helps Melinda do so. He is her inspiration, her mentor. He helped guide her to a new beginning, and she was very thankful for that.
• Heather: Heather's character in this novel is new to Syracuse, New York. She takes on the role as the sweet new girl, just desperate to fit in. Heather comes along to meeting Melinda, and instantly thinks that they are the best of friends when actually to Melinda, Heather is just a nuisance. Heather is also the only student at Merryweather even on speaking terms with Melinda. Heather's character is the complete opposite of Melinda's. Heather is always very neat and organized. She does what she is told and is always available to lend a helping hand. Yet, Heather has a tendency to be quite pushy. She is consistent in trying to get Melinda to join a majority of clubs in a search to make new friends. Heather is also always in a joyous mood, as opposed to Melinda's depressed state. Somehow the two managed to form some kind of a relationship. Melinda describes her as "the dog that keeps jumping into your lap..." as seen on page 24. Heathers character does change towards the end of the book. Over time, she ends up abandoning Melinda for a clique of "Martha Steward wanna-bees". This brings out a different side to the sweet and innocent Heather that Melinda thought she was. This scene is shown on page 106. It gives off a harsh tone, as Heather makes cruel remarks, such as "what's next - hanging out with the dopers?", in the fifth paragraph. As opposed to Melinda's character, Heather develops for the worse instead of the better.

Discussion Questions:
1) Which character do you feel you can relate the most too?
2) Do you think what Heather did was right?

- Emma M.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future actions. Foreshadowing is present in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Mini parts of the story like, Melinda's school grades are clues to the future events/actions. Melinda's different marking period school grades can be found on page 46 (First marking Period), page 92 (Second Marking Period), and page 137 (Third Marking Period). On these pages, you can tell that her grades are getting lower and lower each marking period. This action shows that Melinda is distracted by something, or something is bothering her. Melinda also mentions in the story that she is an outcast because she ended up sitting alone on the bus on the first day of school, and her old friends are not friends with her anymore. That is a huge hint to the main situation (Future action). That can be found on pages 3 and 4. Another huge clue that can be used as foreshadowing is when she mentioned about a party over the summer break. That information can be found on page 27. Melinda and her parent's do not communicate with each other, and they are not family oriented. Melinda's mother prepares dinner in the morning and sticks them in the fridge, but that's not always the case, sometimes, Melinda orders pizza for dinner on her own. That hint led to the thought that Melinda's mother would end up not cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. This can be found on pages 57-61.



Discussion Questions:

1. What are some actions of Foreshadowing?
2. What was the main, future action that the clues/hints led you to?
3. What are a few of the hints/clues that helped build up to the main situation?
4. What are some different statement(s) that you found that is an example of Foreshadowing?


Elizabeth

Diction

Diction is the writer's choice of words; the stylistic element that helps convey voice and tone. The narrator telling the story is Melinda; it is in her point of view. In the story, Melinda is about 13 or 14 years old. Her writing is not complex at all. The story/ writing is a form of a diary entry, and usually, diary entries are not complicated. Most words Melinda uses are not that difficult; she uses words like, untouchable, and argue. The story is told in first person narrative. On most of the pages, you would see Melinda using the "I" form. For example, on page 8, Melinda says, "I see a few friends-people I used to think were my friends-but they look away." This is also an example of how the writing is simple and doesn't use difficult words. Though, you notice that she is well-educated. Throughout the story, Melinda speaks about her feelings and tells the readers directly about what is happening, for example, Melinda would say "Heather has..." On page 42, Melinda says, "I just thought of a great theory that explains everything." That is an example of Melinda telling the readers exactly what happened. Melinda's writing changes throughout the entire story, some sentences are short, and some are long.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are two words you believe are difficult that are in the writing?
2. What is voice and tone?
3. What are your opinions on the choice of words the author uses?

Elizabeth

Theme

The theme of a story is the entire back round and meaning of a story.  The theme of this story is about girl named Melinda who doesn't fit in at her new school, and how she goes through a lot of HS problems. Some of the problems that Melinda goes through are school problems, social problems and more. For example, school problems are a big part of this story. Melinda starts off the year OK, but as we get further into the story, her grades start to slip and her teachers aren't very fond of her. (Especially Mr. Neck) The grades that she id getting are mostly C's and D's, which really aren't good for a first year of HS. But social problems also play a big role in this story. Melinda isn't really the most popular girl in school. Melinda only has 1 true friend and tha is her friend Rachel. Rachel is a very perky and cheery person. Altough very annoying and critical, Rachel is a true friend torwards Melinda. Rachel is pretty much Melinda'a only friend,but she is very loyal and her and Melinda are best friends. 

Questions

1) Why do you think the author chose this topic for the story?

2) What does theme mean?

Katherine Eglezos

Setting

The setting of a story is very important. The setting explains where a story takes place and what time period it is in. In this case, this sory, Speak, takes place at Merrywheather High School.  It also takes place at Melinda's home and at her friend Rachel's home.  Melinda and Rachel's school, merrywheather high, is always full of noise and personality. Sice this story takes place in Syracuse, NY, it can get very loud lik the city, but at other times very mellow and quiet because of the lack of people and location.  At Melinda's house, there is always argueing going. This is because of Melinda's very loud parents. However at Rachel's house, it is usually very quiet. Syracuse is more like the suburbia of NY. It has a little touch of old fashion but a splash of real NY.

Questions

1) Why do you think that the auther had the story take place in Syracuse?

2) Could this story possibly take place anywhere else?

Katherine Eglezos

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Laurie Halse Anderson Bio

Laurie Halse Anderson was born on October 23, 1961. She lives in Potsdam, a very cold place in NY State. She lives with her daughter Stephanie Holcomb Anderson, her husband Greg Anderson and their German Shepard. In the begining, Laurie never saw herself as becoming a writer, she wanted to be a doctor, but apparently fate had other plans for her. Laurie loves to read, mountain bike, write, running in marathons and growing tomatoes in her backyard garden. As a teen , Laurie loved to read, especially fantasy and fiction. Her grades were not so hot, but once her senior year of HS was over, she moved out and wound up on a pig farm in Denmark. Laurie attended Onondaga Community College fopr 2 years. While she was in school , she began to work on a dairy farm, milking cows, and such. After 2 years of C.C, she transferred to Georgetown in 1981. She graduated in 1984 with a B.S.LL. in Launguages and Lingusitics. Laurie loved college basketball and going to her schools games. Some time after all of her school, she met Greg Anderson , a computer nerd who was full of wonders of the 1st Apple 2 computer. In 1985, they had their 1st daughter named Stephanie Holocomd Anderson. 2 years later, they had their other daughter Meredith Laureen. Laurie's first book tha came out was Ndito Runs. In 1999, Speak came out and won an award. The wild heart series was next followed by the Big Cheese. In 2002, YA came out also. From 2000-2006, Laurie traveled the country speaking to teachers, students and librarians about books and stories. After her trip she wrote and came out with her book Twisted. Now her newest book, Chains will be coming out in the fall. In 2002, Laurie was diagnosed with melanoma. Thankfully, this was all removed by doctors. Later, her and Greg divorced. Greg re-married to Susan Kressly and Laurie re-married to Scott Larrabee her childhood sweetheart who tought her how to tie her shoes, after her kids graduate from HS.

Katherine Eglezos