Speak - Summary

Speak tells the story of Melinda Sordino. The people of the high school avoid Melinda because she calls the cops to a house party. The reason of this was that she was raped at the party by a boy called Andy. The rape is a big trauma for Melinda, so that she becomes mute; She doesn’t tell anybody what happened to her at the party. Melinda doesn’t tell anything to her parents about the rape, but they notice her low marks. Melinda doesn’t speak to the people, and she often says only her name or “yes” and “no”. Melinda’s art teacher, Mr. Freeman, is the only person that help her. Melinda expresses her emotions and feeling painting trees. Melinda discovers an unemployed storage in the institute, that becomes her secret room, where she paints her emotions and demons. Melinda write to Rachel, the girl starts dating Andy, the truth about the party. Rachel doesn’t believe Melinda’s story about the party, but she talks with Andy about Melinda, and he becomes angry. Andy finds Melinda in her closet. He wants to hit Melinda. Melinda fight with him, and finally she subdues him. So Melinda finds the courage to pass her fear, and tells the truth about the party, finding the courage to speak. This story, wants to say that you must found the courage to speak to solve a problem, and becoming mute is not a good solution.