Speak

The book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, contains numerous symbols that relate to the problems Melinda Sordino is facing. The reader follows Melinda as she struggles with fitting in and dealing with sexual harassment. One very important symbol is the dying tree in Melinda’s front yard. The entire plot is based on things other than this simple tree. Then, all of a sudden, it becomes a key part of the book. Melinda had never felt any sort of connection or attachment to this tree - but once she noticed that the leaves were dying and it was looking more and more unhealthy by the day, did it become important to her.

The dying tree in the story symbolizes Melinda’s confidence. This tree, like most trees, began to grow, it was strong and healthy. As the tree aged, it became older and less powerful. In the end, people are sent to cut it down and put the poor tree out of it’s misery. Melinda went through a similar phase. She began the school year confident and determined. But once word leaked of her calling the cops on a party over the summer; she began to be shy and embarrassed and more of a target to bullies around school. Then she went into hiding, ditching class and camping out in an abandoned janitor's closet - hoping that if she just dissapeared, no one could pester her about busting the party. Slowly, just like the tree, she wilted and shriveled up inside, unable to change anything about how she was treated by her peers. In the book it says, “I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can I find my way? Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?” This quote clearly shows the reader that even though everything around Melinda is okay, deep inside of her - she is everything but okay. Melinda has no one she can really talk to and trust with her problems, everyone is constantly bugging her about how she called the police, and she is drowning in schoolwork. This dying tree in front of Melinda’s home is no coincidence. At one time, this tree was thriving in the sun, but now it is just a stump in the ground. Melinda once had a group of people who she could talk to whenever she needed support, but now she has been abandoned - she is dead inside. The tree’s leaves are falling off, and her confidence is disappearing by the day. This is why Melinda has such a hard time leaving this tree, even though she has had no connection with, she can’t just let it be cut down.

To sum up, people can relate to all sorts of bizarre objects. Trees, a gum wrapper, old tissues, these things go through the same things that people do - they are cut down, thrown away, lost in coat pockets. Melinda feels like this tree. No one ever notices her, and when they do, they  only whisper about her and tease her. She feels exactly like this dying tree, she wants to disappear and just take with her the good memories. Her confidence is falling like leaves - and there is nothing to do about that, unless, you can get another tree.