In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel “Speak,” the protagonist, Melinda Sordino, embarks on a painful journey of recovery after a traumatic event. Throughout this journey, Melinda is influenced by various characters who, directly or indirectly, contribute to her eventual empowerment. Among them, her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, stands out as the most pivotal in helping Melinda find her “voice”. Mr. Freeman, through his guidance and the sanctuary of the art room, provides Melinda with the tools and space she needs to express herself and confront her trauma.
In the first body paragraph, we can consider how Mr. Freeman’s role as a mentor and his belief in the power of art as a means of expression help Melinda begin to communicate her inner turmoil. Mr. Freeman’s encouragement is evident when he tells Melinda, “Art without emotion, it’s like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag” (Anderson 12). This quote highlights Mr. Freeman’s philosophy that art should be a conduit for genuine emotion, a lesson that resonates with Melinda. As she begins channeling her feelings into her artwork, Melinda finds a nonverbal way to start processing her trauma. Mr. Freeman’s classroom becomes a haven where Melinda feels safe to explore her emotions, and his ongoing support is a key factor in Melinda’s journey towards healing.
In the second body paragraph, another reason Mr. Freeman is instrumental in helping Melinda find her voice is through the assignment he gives to his students: to spend the year transforming an object into a piece of art. For Melinda, the object is a tree, which becomes a metaphor for her growth and struggle. “It is getting harder to talk. My throat is always sore, my lips raw… I am trying to make a tree on the advice of a social studies teacher who is no longer my teacher. He asked me what was wrong last week. I told him nothing, my throat was sore. He told me to draw trees” (Anderson 51). This assignment challenges Melinda to find meaning and strength in her work, mirroring her personal struggle to rebuild her identity and speak up about her experience. The tree project represents Melinda’s gradual transformation as she learns to express herself and stand tall, just like the tree she is trying to depict in her art.
In conclusion, Mr. Freeman is the character who most significantly helps Melinda find her voice. His unique role as an art teacher allows him to offer Melinda a form of communication when words fail her, and his mentorship provides the encouragement and challenge she needs to confront her pain and ultimately speak out. Through art, Melinda begins to understand and articulate her experiences, leading to her growth and evolution as a character. Mr. Freeman’s influence shows that sometimes, the most profound change can come from a place of understanding and expression, rather than confrontation.
Reference
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak: The Graphic Novel. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2018.