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Speak Symbolism Analysis

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Television, the popular successor to radio and newspapers. Today television shows are used as a form of entertainment. The shows range in genre from comedy to hard hitting dramas, and production of the show must go through many stages until it is finally released to the public. The genre and extensive production effort is all in place to explain the events that are conveyed through this storytelling medium. Much like television shows, novels come with different stories to tell the audience. Filmmakers use props, lighting, and facial expressions, while authors use symbolism to convey subliminal messages. One of many novels that uses symbolism effectively is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Throughout the novel, Anderson employs symbolism using …show more content…
David pins her froggy hands to the dissection tray. He spreads her froggy legs and pins her froggy feet,” (Anderson 81). Once again this frog is like Melinda. During the assault Melinda describes a feeling much like what she experiences as she is about to cut the frog open. Anderson describes when this princess’ hands and feet are pinned down she suddenly becomes less than a princess and just a frog again. The position of the frog evokes the same image a that victim would. It shows the same helpless Feeling that many victims feel even when in safe environments. After losing the feeling of independence from someone taking it away by force, fear becomes preminanate. Fear will affect even the smallest of choices in any victims life after an assault. The frog represents this feeling of fear and hopelessness. This pattern is used again when a dead dog is spotted on the side of the road. While in the car with Mr.Freeman, Melinda thinks to herself. Anderson states, “As I thaw, I count the mileage markers on the side of the road, keeping an eye out for interesting roadkill...We pass a dead dog. It doesn't have a collar," (Anderson 121). Melinda has been left astray. …show more content…
This is shown early when Melinda is describing her room. She talks about her thoughts and opinions on her room. Melinda thinks, “My room belongs to an alien. It is a postcard of who I was in fifth grade... My room was stuck in the middle, a bit stolen from everyone else. The only things that were really mine were my stuffed-rabbit collection from when I was a little kid and my canopy bed...I don't know what I want it to look like, anyway,” (Anderson 15-16). Melinda shows her room as a past version of herself. She was a jumbled mix of her friends identities because she has never had a stable one. The last time she was herself was when she was younger and times were simpler. Now Melinda must face new challenges and find herself. Most people in society go through a middle stage of trying to find an identity. Some identities are found in isolation and some are influenced by the people surrounding them. Anderson shows this again with Heather's room. When Heather's room is finished being designed Melinda is invited over to see it. Anderson writes, “Heather's room is finished and ready for viewing… It looks like a commercial for vacuum cleaners, all fresh paint and vacuumcleaner lines in the carpet... The room screams Heather. Why can't I figure out how to do that?” (Anderson 32-33). Melinda sees that Heather’s room is able to represent Heather. Her identity is turned into the tangible objects that are her room

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