Charaterization
What are some character traits that can describe Melinda?
What are two symbols we have seen in Speak so far.
Trees & the janitor's closet.
What are the main literary devices we have seen within the novel so far? There are three different types.
1. Similes, 2. Metaphors, 3. Hyperboles
How is the importance of communication a theme in Speak?
It highlights how not communicating can make the situation worse.
What is the setting of the novel?
Merryweather High/ Syracuse NY
What are some character traits that describe Heather?
Outgoing, hyper, talkative, extroverted, motivated, self-absorbed, social.
What is the symbolism behind trees?
They reflect Melinda's current emotional state. However she draws the trees shows how she is feeling.
"She looks like a basketball" is an example of which literary element?
Simile
How is theme of art being used as therapeutic expression shown in the story?
Melinda working on her art project reflects her personal growth journey. The more she works on it, the closer she gets to expressing herself.
Everyone is mad at Melinda because she...
Called 9-1-1 at a party over the summer.
What are some character traits that describe Rachel?
Pretentious, social climber, hates Melinda, mean.
What is the symbolism behind the janitor's closet?
It symbolizes Melinda's growth. The more she cleans out the closet, the better her mental health is getting.
"She has red laser eyes" is an example of what?
Metaphor
How is the theme of the effects of trauma shown in the story?
Melinda's depleting mental state and inability to talk highlight how someone can be impacted by something to the point that it effects every part of their life.
Melinda's old friends names are...
Nicole, Ivy, and Rachel.
This is for two characters: Describe David Petrakis and Melinda's parents.
1. David Pertrakis: Very smart, motivated, not bullied
2. Mom and dad: Not very involved, want Melinda to be perfect, unaware of Melinda's current mental state (clueless), distant.
When Melinda first started her art project, she was drawing (blank) to show (blank)...
Nearly dead trees to symbolize how she feels dead inside herself
"My head exploded" is an example of what?
Hyperbole
How is the them of conflicting feelings of growing up shown in the story?
it is shown by the way Melinda struggles severely with going into high school and the changes that come with it. She doesn't know who she is yet because she is so young, similarly to Rachel who changes her appearance and name trying to fit in.
Melinda's mother works as...
A clothing store manager
Describe the differences between the teachers Melinda has: Mr. Neck, Hair woman, and Mr. Freeman.
Mr. Neck: Rude, doesn't like Melinda, has a big neck, argumentative, judgmental, history teacher./ Hair Woman: English teacher, quiet, boring/ Mr. Freeman: Spontaneous, different, art teacher, hates the school board, someone that can be trusted
When Melinda first found the janitor's closet, it was (blank) symbolizing (blank).
It was an abandoned mess, symbolizing her messy mental state and complex trauma at the time being.
What is the purpose of literary elements in the novel?
They add more detail, give more context, adds to the characterization of characters, highlights themes, etc.
How is the theme of appearance vs. reality shown in the novel?
It is shown by the way Melinda compares herself to others and how judgments are quickly made by multiple characters such as Melinda, her classmates, and certain teachers. It is also shown by the way no one truly knows what is going through because she puts up a facade.
What is the name of the author of Speak?
Laurie Halse Anderson