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Speak Novel Study

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.

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Speak Novel Study

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  1. Speak Novel Study Symbolism and Metaphor

  2. What is a Symbol? Anything used to represent abstract ideas or concepts • Objects • Characters • Figures • Colors

  3. What is a Metaphor? • Metaphors are direct comparisons made between characters and ideas. • IT, Beast, Wolf are all metaphors for Andy Evans, the rapist

  4. 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)

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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

  12. 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.

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