SELF-DISCOVERY, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND ART

MELINDA’S OWN SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH NATURE AND GEOMETRIC DESIGNS

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

THEMES IN SPEAK

ALIENATION

Alienation a state of being isolated or withdrawn either by external or internal forces.

Melinda is alienated by her peers, former friends, and family.

Melinda also withdraws from everyone and physically and emotionally hides.

IDENTITY

Melinda has lost the idea of who she once was and through being isolated, art, and a few people that reach out to her, she is able to create a new sense of self and identity. However, the process is full of emptiness, pain, and acceptance.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Positive family love and support has been proven to strengthen or establish self-confidence, independence, and individuality in a person.

VS

Other Themes: Depression & Emotional Withdrawal

Melinda is suffering from depression due to a “secret” that is eating her up from the inside out. She is showing physical symptoms of depression as well as withdrawing socially and emotionally through hiding and silence.

ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

Mr. Freeman gave Melinda the project of crafting a tree using all mediums of art such as drawing, painting, linoleum blocks, sculpting, etc.

From Melinda’s first drawing to Melinda’s last masterpiece, her own artwork represents a symbolic timeline of Melinda’s withdrawal, emotional pain, being ostracized from her peers and family, and her difficult path to finding herself and acceptance.

Transformation & Trees

CUBISM

CUBISM AND TREES

PABLO PICASSO

SPEAK OUT