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.