Important Quote: Speak

While reading, there is always that one quote that stands out among the rest. The one you keep going back to. Even if you don't know why you like it, you just keep on reading it. That's how I felt with the quote "We held it in front of an antique mirror at midnight to see our futures. I couldn't see anything" (Anderson 40).

I love this quote for many reasons. For one, it allowed me to further connect with Melinda. Her not seeing anything in the mirror symbolizes how she doesn't see anything positive in her future. She doesn't even think she will have a future. It's devastating. As a reader, my heart dropped. It shows how much Melinda has given up and that she doesn't see anything to live for. All her hope is gone.

Of course this makes the reader want to read on. You want her to be happy. For things to get better. For Melinda to smile again. Well where I'm at in the book, things are still looking pretty rough for Melinda. I hope things get better. It can't stay dark forever... right?

The Importance of Art

Painting, drawing, sculpting... art. It can be a powerful thing as Melinda descovers throughout Speak. Throughout Melinda's struggles (see previous posts) she finds a feeling of calm and safety in art. It is something she still finds hope in, even when she feels like giving up. Usually, Melinda is very quiet but her art expresses so much emotion that she hides inside. For example, Melinda's art teacher says "This has meaning. Pain" when he sees her project (Anderson 64).

In this way I can connect to Melinda. Art to me is a way to calm down and express my feelings. Being able to relate to Melinda in this way helps connect me to the book and understand what she is feeling. The way Anderson develops the sense of need Melinda has for art shows how powerful it is.

An example of how art can express feelings that may be hidden.

Speak: How Society Affects Melinda

Nobody understands. No one.
Nobody cares. No one.

This is how Melinda feels constantly. Every day. 24/7. But WHY? Well, like many things, this can be blamed on society. Melinda is surrounded by students that, to put it kindly, hate her. Normally when someone says, "OMG everyone hates me!" they are usually over-exaggerating. Not in Melinda's case. Well maybe they don't all HATE her but they all dislike her.

She made one choice: to call the cops at a party. And no one forgives her. She's an outcast. With her entire school acting this way, it greatly impacts Melinda. Her grades drop a lot and she starts skipping classes almost everyday to avoid the ineventable: seeing her classmates.

This conflict between Melinda and society creates suspense and emotion throughout the book. The reader wants to know how Melinda is going to handle it. Will her classmates ever forgive her? Why did she call the cops in the first place? So many questions spinning in the reader's head push you to keep reading. Emotions also connect the reader to the book. "I want her to get better! I hate seeing her so sad! She doesn't deserve this!" Common thoughts I have experienced while reading the book.

Maybe you can relate to what Melinda feels. Where nobody understands and nobody cares. Even if you can't, the way the book is written emotionally engages the reader because of how society affects Melinda.