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Why did Melinda cut herself in Speak?
She tries to mask her internal pain with external pain. The cutting of her wrists is at this point metaphorical for the real thing, but dangerous, nonetheless. The fact that her mother doesn’t take it as seriously as she should, and, in fact, acts as if it’s an annoyance, reveals much about how lonely Melinda must be.
What do Melinda’s parents make her do in second marking period?
Melinda’s parents are making her stay after school to get extra help from her teachers because her grades are so bad. Melinda, however, uses the time after school to tidy up and decorate her janitor’s closet with a poster of Maya Angelou.
How does Melinda describe her mother?
Melinda’s mom is the hardworking manager of Effert’s, a downtown clothing store. She’s a practical, busy woman, who struggles to balance home and career. In contrast, Melinda’s dad sells insurance, and Melinda thinks Dad’s job is too easy and resents what she sees as his freedom.
What does Melinda do to herself physically to represent her pain How do her parents react?
First, Melinda’s use of a paperclip to scratch her wrist symbolizes her hopelessness. Much like Melinda’s nail-biting and lip-biting, scratching herself is another way she tries to express physically the pain she feels emotionally.
How do Melinda’s parents react to her midterm grades?
How do Melinda’s parents react about her grades? Melinda’s parents are very upset and angry about her grades.
How does Melinda’s mother react to her self-harm?
Rather than attempting to understand and connect with Melinda, her mother instead reacts with frustration and anger. Even when she sees that Melinda has intentionally hurt herself, she reacts coldly and dismissively.
Why does Melinda scratch her wrist with a paperclip?
First, Melinda’s use of a paperclip to scratch her wrist symbolizes her hopelessness. Much like Melinda’s nail-biting and lip-biting, scratching herself is another way she tries to express physically the pain she feels emotionally.
How does Melinda feel about herself in the dressing room?
While standing in front of the dressing-room mirrors, Melinda examines herself. She remembers a movie about a woman who survived a fire and had new skin grafted onto her body. Melinda feels as if she is also waiting for her new skin to take hold, and she vows to try to be more normal.
What does Melinda cutting herself symbolize in it?
Through Melinda’s cutting herself, the naming of IT, and Heather ignoring Melinda’s freak out, you see Melinda fall deeper into her feelings of isolation and despair. First, Melinda’s use of a paperclip to scratch her wrist symbolizes her hopelessness.