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Andy Evans is a symbol because  something happened to Melinda because of him and she's scared to be anywhere near him. In the book it says, "I cross the parking lot and IT comes out the door....I stop frozen in a puddle. Maybe he won't notice me if I stand still"(Anderson96/97). She doesn't want him to see her so she tries to act invisible. When he saw her she ran away because she was afraid to be by him alone.

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Mr. Freeman symbolizes being free in the novel Speak. In the story, it says, "Do not come here and ask me to show you how to draw a face. Ask me to help you find the wind" (Anderson10). This states that Mr. Freeman is not in the story JUST as an art teacher, but he's in there to show Melinda freedom, or to "find the wind". He is helping her find more about herself by assigning her the tree project. When he saw Melinda walking in the cold he offered her a ride and it was a little out of his way and she was grateful for that. Mr. Freeman said "'You're a good kid. I think you have a lot to say. I'd like to hear it'"(Anderson123). He knew that even though Melinda didn't speak much she had a lot to say

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Green nail polish symbolizes Heather's turning point in the story, kind of like the color green symbolizes the word "GO". In the novel it says, "She pushes her books to the floor and knocked over the green nail polish on the sand colored carpet."(Anderson34) and then a few sentences later the story states, "She flops on her bed and bursts into sobs. big boohoos, with little squeals of frustration when she punches her teddy bear."(Anderson34)

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Mirrors are an important symbol in the book. In the story it says, "I get out of bed and take down my mirror. I put it back in the closet, facing the wall"(Anderson17). This is a symbol because she is very insecure about herself to the point where she can't even look at herself in the mirror that she had to take it down. She also covers the mirror with the poster in the abandoned closet. She's so depressed that just looking at herself makes her unhappy.

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The tree symbolizes Melinda. At the beginning of the story Mr. Freeman assigned her the tree. Throughout the story she learns how she can use the tree in her everyday life. in the story it says, "I break off branches from the holly bush and a few sprigs of pine and carry them inside. I tie them together with red yarn and set them on the fireplace mantel and the dining-room table"(Anderson71). The more she uses the tree in her everyday life the more she is branching out.

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David Petrakis is a symbol in the book Speak because he represents hope for Melinda. When he stands up to Mr. Neck Melinda was astonished. In the book it says, "David hands me a tissue. I press it into the cut"(Anderson109). He helped her when she cut her hand. He was one of the only person being genuinely nice to her and she was grateful for that. He gave her hope. Even though she wasn't the best lab partner he still managed to be nice to her and showed her that all people in this world are cruel.

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Chapped lips are an important symbol in the book. In the story it says, "I push my ragged mouth against the mirror. A thousand bleeding, crusted lips push back. What does it feel like to walk in a new skin?"(Anderson125) This is a symbol because when Melinda doesn't want to speak she bites on her lips and they have gotten so chapped because of that. That shows that she never talks and always bites her lips.