Speak – Analysis Questions



Speak – Analysis Questions - Marking Period 4

English 9 – Mrs. Mace

Analysis Questions Plot Summary

“Exterminators” “Exterminators”

• What generational conflict is clear in this section?

“Wet Season” “Wet Season”

• What symbolism is apparent here? Who is returning to life?

• What does the reference to yard work foreshadow?

“Spring Break” “Spring Break”

• What is the relationship between Ivy and Melinda? – between

ivy and trees?

• How is Ivy’s name symbolic here?

“Genetics” “Genetics”

• What is significant about the drawings of the trees in Melinda’s closet?

• What is symbolic about the willow near the water?

• What is happening with Ivy?

“Life as a Spy” “Life as a Spy”

• What does her reaction to Rachel and Andy say about Melinda as a person?

• Why does Melinda have a flashback of Rachel as a third grader?

“Thin Atmosphere” “Thin Atmosphere”

• How are the “artistic phases” symbolic?

o Confused – spaz – dead – Present phase

“Growing Pains” “Growing Pains”

• What is significant about Mr. Freeman’s counsel to Melinda?

o “Make it bend – scar it – give it a twisted branch….

o Nothing is perfect. Flaws are interesting. Be the tree.”

“Gag Order” “Gag Order”

• What is the symbolism of the suffragette report? What motif (recurring idea)

does it suggest?

• Who find their voices in this movement? How is this relevant to Melinda?

“No Justice, No Peace” “No Justice, No Peace”

• Why does Melinda choose to be silent this time? How is this different from

her other silence?

“Advice from Smart Mouth” “Advice from Smart Mouth”

• Who apparently likes Melinda?

“Beast Prowls” “Beast Prowls”

• In what way does Ivy appear to be an ally?

• What are hints that others know about Andy Evans?

• WHERE does Melinda actually vboice her frustration?

“Home Sick” “Home Sick”

• What unusual thing does Melinda do in this section?

• How is her mother’s reaction ironic?

“Oprah, Sally Jesse, Jerry, and Me” “Oprah, Sally Jesse, Jerry, and Me”

• What do we call these references to people in our culture who are well known?

• How does including theses impact your ability to relate to the book?

“Real Spring” “Real Spring”

• What BIG JOB does Melinda do in this section?

• What does it symbolize?

• Why does her father mention the tree?

• When Melinda finally speaks, for what does she ask? What does this symbolize?

“FAULT!” “FAULT!”

• What sport is Melinda good at?

• When she says “I am tough enough to play and strong enough to win”

what is clear about her changing attitude toward herself? How is this

self perception different from the beginning of the book?

“Yearbooks” “Yearbooks”

• What is Melinda’s attitude toward the yearbook? Do you think she is accurate?

Realistic?

“Hairwoman No More” “Hairwoman No More”

• What is symbolic about Hairwoman’s change in appearance?

“Little Writing on the Wall” “Little Writing on the Wall”

• Describe the relationship between Ivy and Melinda.

• How is Melinda changing?

• What helps her to begin this change?

“Prom Preparation”

“Communication 101”

“Chat Room”

“Pruning”

“Prowling”

“PostProm”

“Prey”

“Final Cut”

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