How does Laurie Halse Anderson use symbolism in the book 'Speak'?

Answer 1

Sordino is Melinda's last name and that means mute in italian.

The reason Melinda faints during the frog disection is because it reminds her of being raped. The changing of the mascot names shows how she cannot grasp one specific feeling.

hope this helps:) Melinda's closet (hiding in the janitors closet), is symbolic to her internal, personal, hiding. Her physical appearance, cracked and swollen lips, symbolize her inability to speak, and tell people what happened to her. The drawing of Trees, and inability to "bring them to life", and draw details in the branches, referring to her own life and inability to live and tell details. Also, the "barbie-Turkey" in the chapter "wishbone"; all parts of her artwork are symbolic, the bones, the fork, the knife, the palm tree, the "deserted island" and the barbie head on a dead body. All aspects represent her pain.

Answer 2

Laurie Halse Anderson uses symbolism in 'Speak' to represent the protagonist's struggle with trauma and finding her voice. For example, the tree in the protagonist's art project symbolizes her growth and healing throughout the story. The physical act of speaking, or lack thereof, also symbolizes the character's inner turmoil and eventual journey towards self-expression.

Answer 3

first of all its lauRie so that could be a reason for the few responses.

and the symbols can include a tree of many sorts, obvious, Melinda's closet, her scabbed lips and the changing of the seasons mirroring the changes is melinda. I'm sure there are others...be creative.

hope I helped

Answer 4

the book speak have symbols. one of th symbols is the tree that melinda draws everytime she keeps drawing it, the tree gets better, it shows how menlinda is trying to tell somebody that she got raped, so as the tree improves she improves too

Answer 5

The most prevalent theme ofspeak is the strength of character. Melinda nearly loses her strength as she shuts down not only verbally, but also emotionally. She cannot speak out about her painful experiences and unspeakable pain until she learns from them over the lapse of the year. So the theme is to have a strong character, and be able to speak out!

(:
I think the theme for Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is speaking up for yourself and others. It's speaking up for what you believe in and overcoming your fears. You cant spend your whole life living in fear and you can never let fear run your life. You have to speak up for what you believe in or nothing will ever change.

Answer 6

The symbol from speak by Laurie Halse Anderson would be the tree that Melinda has to do for her art project. The tree is suppose to symbolize Melinda. Tree is mentioned throughout the book. She was even raped near a tree. And at the end how her project isn't perfect shows how she isn't perfect either.

Answer 7

The tree

Bunny

Bird