Speak Novel Study

Symbolism and Metaphor

What is a Symbol?

Anything used to

represent abstract

ideas or concepts Objects Characters Figures Colors

What is a Metaphor?

Metaphors are direct comparisons made between characters and ideas.

IT, Beast, Wolf are all metaphors for Andy Evans, the rapist

The Rabbit Motif The rabbits, are metaphors

for Melinda They do not speak and

they stand still in hope that their predators don’t see them

This is what Melinda does every time Andy is in her presence

Melinda must become more like a predator and attack (deal) with her problems (Andy Evans and Silence)

The Tree: Pruning The tree which Melinda

struggles over in Art class all year is a metaphor for her.

As she grows and breaks the silence the tree grows as well.

This is further emphasized by the old oak in her front yard which her father has pruned so it can grow and flourish even more.

Like the oak tree, Melinda is pruning away the damaged parts which have kept her from growing.

Seeds and Seedlings “Germination” (ch. 60) Metaphorical for Melinda She can now focus on

being a seed that will continue to flourish.

When she is damaged, like a plant, she can grow a new limb, leaf, etc.

Seeds represent Melinda’s new growth and the discovery that she can survive.

Hester: The Scarlet letter Hester Prynne from The

Scarlet Letter represents Melinda who also remains silent about the truth.

Both Hester and Melinda are outcast

Melinda decides that she and Hester are a lot alike and imagines them living in the woods, Hester wearing her A for adultery and Melinda wearing an S for silent, stupid, scared, silly, and shame.

The Changing School Mascot The changing of the school

mascot represents the search for identity experienced by all (most) members of the school community.

The changing of the school mascot is an outward comparison for how inept the entire authority system of the school district really is.

Also a comment on political correctness taken to the extreme

The Clans: Search for Identity

The clans are metaphors for the terrible need to belong and be accepted that every high school student faces.

The clans symbolize the importance of fitting-in during the high school years.

The Suffragettes: Speak Up Melinda decides to

give an oral report on women who, ironically, used their voices to earn the rights they should have had all along.

The suffragettes report is a metaphor for Melinda’s need to speak the truth and fight against what is wrong.

Mr. Freeman and David Petrakis

David Petrakis and Mr. Freeman are metaphors for the necessity of speaking up for what is right.

“When people don’t express

themselves, they die one piece

at a time…” p.122

Birds = Freedom

The birds represent freedom to Melinda—they signal the freedom to speak and personal growth.

Melinda continues working on her final tree, adding birds with chalk, drawing flight, flight, feather, and wing, the birds seem to bloom in the light, “their feathers expanding promise.”

Melinda fills in her final sketch with the wings of the birds, because she, like them, has great promise.