Characterization in Speak by Dr. Z

QUESTIONS FOR CHARACTER ANALYSIS:

2024-09-19 18:48:37 UTC

•How would you describe the motivations and values of the character?

•How does the relationship between the character and Melinda evolve throughout the story?

•Identify (chapter/ page) an interaction with the character that is pivotal to Melinda's development and the overall outcome in the novel. Explain

Rachel

2024-09-19 18:53:42 UTC

Values and motivations

-wanna be popular

- wanted to smoke but she has asthma

-motivations are like Melinda’s/tryna to fit in but a bit better

Relationship

-At the beginning of the book they were best friends

-went off to bad terms and lost communication

-began talking when she told her he raped her but Rachel was ignorant about the situation

Identify

pg.180 is the conversation between Melinda and Rachel about her getting raped.

Melinda's Mom

2024-09-19 18:55:57 UTC

Motivations and values: work motivated; family and motherly life is not a priority, but she "tries"
Relationship: manager-style parenting; "had kid too early" mentality; less understanding as book went on
Pivotal point: parents get very angry at Mel and she doesn't want to be around their home anymore
- "She's jerking us around to get attention." (pg. 114)

Melinda's Dad

2024-09-19 19:00:33 UTC

Motivations & Values

Cares about Melinda and wants her to succeed but isn't capable of helping her because he isn't willing to fully understand her struggles.
Doesn't believe in mental health
Follows his own agenda and doesn't stop to listen to Melinda.

Relationship

There are multiple scenes throughout the novel where Melinda is frustrated with her dad's efforts to help: Thanksgiving, Christmas, meeting with principal
He is constantly complaining, ignoring issues, and dealing with situations in a passive way. He's a pessimist.
She views him, as seen on pages 35 and 36 with the Arnold Schwarzenegger impression, as a bigger, scary force

Pivotal Point

165-168 - "Real Spring" - instead of complaining, he's complimenting her work and willing to help. Melinda finally speaks to him when she asks him to buy some seeds

Mr. Freeman

2024-09-19 19:00:59 UTC

1 . He was arguably the best person in the book towards Melinda. He was compassionate with Melinda and was passionate about art and helping his students individually as well as overall. He is someone who listens to his students and makes sure to communicate that if they need anything even if its just a person to listen to them, he would be there for them.

Visually we can see how Mr. Freeman's and Melinda's relationship evolves through the progression of her art. We can see them slowly become more comfortable with one another.
"You're a good kid. I think you have a lot to say. I'd like to hear it." (123) This really was pivotal to Melinda's development because it showed her that he was someone she could really trust and depend on to share her feeling with.
Extra Quote that was also pivotal: "If he thinks I can do it, then I'll try one more time." (153) This was also important because it showed how important Mr. Freeman is to Melinda and that he is the most important life in her life that supports her in that moment. He makes her not want to give up.

Heather!

2024-09-19 19:02:41 UTC

Values and Motives

Heather is not truly a good friend just motivated to become popular and find her click but kept Melinda around because they had to.

Relationship depth

Their relationship was very surface level and Heather used Melinda as a venting friend and is very manipulative near the end, but at the beginning, they were friends because had to be.

Evidence

the first big moment is when Heather "broke up" with Melinda; this helps Melinda start to find herself pg. 105-106. second big moments is when Heather comes running back begging for help and Melinda says no, this helps her find her voice in the end pg. 178-179