In this video I’ll summarize the plot of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson in about 4 minutes and give you an analysis of the story. Okay, let’s get started with the introduction.
1. The Start of High School
Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year at Merryweather High as an outcast. Over the summer, she called the police at a party, leading to her being shunned by her peers, including her former best friend, Rachel. Melinda refuses to explain why she called the police, withdrawing from social interactions and struggling with feelings of guilt and shame. Her only refuge is art class, where her teacher, Mr. Freeman, encourages her to express herself through a year-long project centered on drawing trees.
2. Flashbacks
As the school year progresses, Melinda becomes more withdrawn, barely speaking to anyone. Through flashbacks, the reader learns the reason for her silence—she was raped at the summer party by an upperclassman, Andy Evans. Unable to process her trauma, she isolates herself further, avoiding eye contact and speaking as little as possible. At home, her parents are too preoccupied with their own problems to notice her distress, leaving her to cope alone.
3. Small Acts of Resistance
Melinda’s grades decline, and she begins skipping school to escape her overwhelming emotions. However, she finds small ways to push back against her pain. She secretly transforms an abandoned janitor’s closet into a personal safe space and begins expressing her emotions through her art. Her interactions with a kind student, David Petrakis, show glimpses of her former self, but she still struggles to open up. Meanwhile, Andy Evans continues to intimidate her, reinforcing her silence.
4. Confronting the Truth
As prom approaches, Melinda overhears Rachel, now dating Andy, dismissing his reputation as a predator. Desperate to protect her, Melinda writes Rachel an anonymous note warning her about Andy. When Rachel publicly rejects Andy at prom, he realizes that Melinda was behind the warning. This leads to a final confrontation when Andy corners Melinda in her closet, attempting to assault her again. However, this time, she fights back and screams, attracting attention and forcing Andy to flee.
5. Finding Her Voice
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Melinda finally tells Mr. Freeman about what happened to her, symbolizing her reclaiming her voice. Word spreads, and her classmates begin to understand why she called the police at the summer party. Melinda is no longer completely alone, and by the end of the novel, she begins to speak openly about her trauma. Through art and self-expression, she starts the journey toward healing.
Theme 1: The Power of Silence
One of the novel’s central themes is the contrast between silence and the courage to speak. Melinda’s inability to tell anyone about her assault reflects the way trauma can suppress a victim’s voice. Her gradual journey from silence to speaking out represents the process of reclaiming power after trauma. The novel highlights how difficult it is for survivors to come forward, especially when they fear being dismissed or judged.
Theme 2: Healing Through Art
Melinda’s isolation is a key part of her suffering, but the novel also shows how self-expression can be a path to healing. Her tree drawings symbolize her emotional growth—at first, they are lifeless and broken, but by the end, they show signs of renewal. Through art, she processes her pain and eventually finds the strength to express herself in words. The novel suggests that healing is not instant, but with time and self-expression, it is possible to recover.