Plot & Flashbacks
What happens to Melinda the night of the party?
She got assaulted and called the police.
Merryweather High still had school despite this weather.
Snow
What does Melinda realize when she hangs out in the hospital?
What is that there's nothing wrong with her?
Who does Melinda run into while in MISS?
IT / Andy Evans
What does Melinda’s tree project symbolize in the story?
Her journey of healing and personal growth. her current emotional state.
When Melinda wakes up from her nap in the janitor's closet, where does she go and who does she see? What does that person invite her to?
The basketball game and she talks to David. He invites her to a party and she declines but gets upset with herself for it.
What does Melinda have to do when Melinda fails her classes?
Have a meeting with the guidance counselor, principal, and her parents.
How does Melinda feel about herself when she’s trying on jeans?
She is disgusted—she sees no makeup, dark circles, like her skin’s been burned off. The jeans aren't fitting.
Who does Melinda think wrote her the note on her locker?
David Petrakis. She thinks he might have a crush
Why is the changing school mascot a symbol for Melinda?
It symbolizes her feeling of instability and lack of belonging
What type of figurative language is used in the following quote: "BunnyRabbit bolts, leaving fast tracks in the snow. Getaway, getaway, getaway. Why didn't I run like this before when I was a one-piece talking girl?"
What is a simile?
What happens when Melinda skips school?
Has to go to in-school suspension?
How does Melinda feel about her biology test coming up?
She is confident she is going to ace it. It is about plants.
Who does Melinda get a note from on her locker and what does it say? What was inside?
Heather wrote her a letter saying "Thanks for understanding" regarding her ending the friendship. She returned the friendship bracelet Melinda gave her as a gift.
The closet where Melinda hides out most days represents what? What does she call it?
Her burrow. It is her need for safety, privacy, and a place to escape.
Question: True or False: Melinda has a flashback of the party and finally reveals to the reader what happened between her and Andy Evans.
True
Where does Melinda go when she skips school?
The mall / the hospital
What is Melinda's reward for showing up to school consistently?
Clothes shopping with her Mom at Efferts
What does Heather reveal to Melinda at lunch? Why is this hurtful?
She doesn't want to be friends with Melinda anymore. She says that she was NEVER her friend even though they clearly were. She admitted that she used her to get in with the Martha's.
What does Melinda compare herself to when she sees Andy Evans on the street, and why?
A bunny rabbit, because she feels exposed and in danger, needing to hide from a predator.
Melinda feels relief for the first time ever since she finally told someone the truth about what happened to her.
False. She is still very uncomfortable talking about it. She bites her lip so hard that she requires stitches because it was too traumatic to think about.
What teacher is she getting closer to? Who makes her open up?
Mr. Freeman. He says he "sees" her and offers her advice and someone to talk to.
Does Melinda tell the police that there is a party?
No. She is silent on the phone but they tracked her location.
How does her mother react when Melinda is harming herself?
She tells her she doesn't have time for her. She is just trying to get attention and her mom leaves her a self help book on the toilet instead of helping her.
What does Melinda’s silence represent in Speak?
Her trauma and inability to express the truth about her assault