Speak

Many different factors compound to make Melinda’s life more difficult and increase her emotional stress. What are these factors, and how are they hinted at throughout the novel?

Melinda’s home life is complicated and a source of stress and fear for Melinda. How does Melinda’s family dynamic influence her reaction to her traumatic experience over the summer? Why does Melinda find it so difficult to tell her parents the truth?

Melinda’s journey toward speaking out and healing is connected to her artistic exploration and discovery in Mr. Freeman’s class. How does art class help Melinda find her voice? How does Melinda grow through her experiences in art class? What does her art project symbolize?

Throughout the novel, Melinda describes the changing of seasons, especially the snow through the winter and the thawing in spring. What do these changes symbolize about Melinda’s process of healing?

As the year progresses, different events, people, and other factors affect Melinda’s ability to heal either positively or negatively. What are these events and who are these people? How does Melinda react to these experiences, and how does she eventually find her voice?

Melinda creates a closet for herself at school. Why does she create this closet? What purpose does it serve in her life, and why does she eventually decide to dismantle it?

Speak became an important novel for teens and young adults as it discusses the topics of sexual assault and self-harm honestly and realistically. Why does this honesty make Speak a crucial work? How can teens learn from Melinda’s experience, reactions, and healing process?

Melinda often refers to Andy Evans, her perpetrator, as “IT” or “The Beast”. What do these nicknames mean, and why does Melinda use them? What other indicators exist in the novel that showcase Melinda’s view of Andy as less-than-human?