Melinda Sordino’s broken. She struggles through high school her first year, failing classes and being ridiculed her peers. Her life had not had key moments that made her realize she could change. This is all described in Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak. Melinda, her eighth grade year, ends and Melinda and her classmates go to a high-school party. Andy Evans, a senior, seduces Melinda after Melinda has gotten drunk. Melinda’s recovery journey and her triumph over her fear of speaking are the focus of the story. Melinda is guided by three key events in her life that have led to her recovery. Art class and its teacher is one of these things. David Petrakis, Melinda’s laboratory partner, is another. Melinda finally discovers a janitor’s abandoned closet and uses it to her advantage. These are all crucial for Melinda as her first year progresses.

Melinda enters her art class the first day. She is welcomed by Mr. Freeman. Melinda soon trusts Mr. Freeman. He teaches Melinda art and helps her feel secure. Although Melinda speaks very little in the book, she could not have spoken more. Melinda has spent over a year painting trees to show this growth. Melinda’s trees are a representation of whatever stage she is in her healing process. “I’ve been doing watercolors of lightning-hit trees. “I try not to paint them completely, but they are close to death.” (Anderson 30-31). Melinda isn’t alone who struggles to communicate with silence. David Petrakis Melinda’s laboratory partner was simply able to get up and leave after a cruel lecture. “He speaks a million times without speaking a single word. David Petrakis is a man I want to learn from. David Petrakis is a master of silence. He is the complete opposite. He defends himself and speaks out. He helps Melinda to give a presentation about the suffragettes. However, he then tells her: “But it’s wrong. The suffragettes were all concerned with speaking up and defending their rights. You can’t be silent and speak out. That’s letting evil men win. David convinced Melinda to stop passively living and to start speaking up. This type of profound change is not possible overnight. To grow, it must be nurtured.

Running from Mr. Melinda, while running from Mr. Melinda quickly claimed the closet as hers and used it as her hideaway or retreat when things got tough. She decorates her room with memories and keeps it safe. Melinda’s closet serves as her refuge until she heals and can live again. It also fits in well with one of Melinda’s motifs: seeds. Melinda often talks about seeds in her book. She describes the growing process. “The seed won’t warm up if it isn’t planted deep enough. It shouldn’t be planted too close to the ground. A crow will eat it. Too much rainfall and it will mold. A lack of rain will cause it to stop growing. It serves to protect Melinda from the elements until she is ready to start sprouting.

These are the elements that Melinda needed to flourish. This is a great lesson for everyday life. It shows people that no matter how traumatized or broken we feel, we can still make it whole again. Melinda accomplished this by using her closet, David Petrakis’ continued support, and art. This lesson must be learned and used by everyone. Melinda suffered severe abuse as a child. That is something that must not be forgotten. Melinda takes care of herself by focusing on these important aspects. This helps her to come back to life.