Milwaukee Art Museum Piece:
The Laid Table:
From a far away glance you see happiness
From a far away glance I see sadness.
You see thanksgiving
I see a shattered holiday
From your eyes
Its glass
Set on table.
Ready for your holiday meal.
From my eyes
Its broken.
Its glass thrown about.
To you its simply a holiday.
In my eyes
It was a holiday yet to come,
But a holiday that never got the chance.
Through my eyes
It’s a fight.
A tragedy.
I see the fight.
The emotions go flying
Just like the glass.
The glass was their dreams.
Their emotions
And their hope.
But now look at it
Its gone.
Shattered.
Laid on the table for all to see.
For all to feel the pain.
Beth Lipman was just showing us how it feels.
How it feels to go through a loss.
After You've Gone is the title of the collection.
In her eyes its to show a struggle
To show pain.
After they've gone
You're left there
A mess.
The table doesn't just have glass
But shattered glass.
The glass took so much time to make
But could break so quick.
The glass is like trust.
A gentle thing.
But their gone now.
Along with the trust.
Her life began in 1971
And it continues today.
Inspiring us.
Teaching us.
Speak Essay:
Speak Essay:
Speak
You lay there, broken, shattered, and hallow. Meekly you struggle to stand. Standing up after that is the easy part, but moving on is the hard part. Time fly's by, you've told know one. At school everyone hates you, and how much trouble that you've caused. You live life inside a closet, never opening up to let things in or feelings out. His voice echoes in your mind. You can’t run away from this forever. Its time you do something; its time you move on. You take a deep breath and speak. The novel Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, showcases many literary terms that speak to us deeply.
There are many symbols in The First Marking Period, which give the novel a deeper meaning. One symbol can be found on page three, when a boy from Melinda's school throws a Ho-Ho wrapper at her. The text reads "…if any of them decided to talk to me yet…" The Ho-Ho wrapper is a symbol of the horrible things they think of Melinda. Her school may not know the whole story, but they jump to conclusions. They believe that Melinda likes Andy Evan's and they know that something happened between them. Everyone thinks she is a liar and a "wanna-be". When the boy throws the Ho-Ho wrapper, it is symbolic of how he feels about her. He thinks that she is a whore. Another symbol can be found on page three when Melinda tells us "I'm the only person sitting alone." That sentence is symbolic that her friends hate her, people that she doesn't know hate her, and everyone hates her. Also, a symbol can be found on page six where Melinda states "My first class is biology. I can’t find it and get my first demerit from wandering the hall." This sentence shows that Melinda is not exited for the rest of the year and is symbolic of how Melinda feels about school. Page ten has a very clear and detailed symbol, where Melinda says "The sun doesn’t shine much in Syracuse, so the art room is designed to get every bit of light it can," this shows how art helps Melinda overcome the stress and regret. Mr. Freeman, the art teacher, is the only nice teacher to Melinda and she thinks of Syracuse as a dark place; the art room is light and her saving grace.
Not only are there symbols hidden throughout The First Marking Period, but there also are themes. In the novel Speak, The First Marking Period shelters many themes. The first theme identified was found on page number three, "Welcome to Merryweather High." Meaning that no one at the school is friendly and that the school is made up of cliques, and unfortunately for Melinda, she doesn't fit into any of them. On page four, she tells us that her school mascot has been changed, "They have transformed us into the blue devils." Through Melinda's eyes the students at her school are devils, which is another theme. Lastly, on page ten comes the last theme for this marking period when Melinda says "either Ivy has a great force field or my lazar vision Isn't very strong" When Melinda says this the theme is that all her friends have left her, she's all alone, abandoned. Themes aren't the only literary term found in this period, but there is also foreshadowing.
In the first period it often foreshadows things yet to come in the book. On page three the Melinda says "If any of them decide to sit by me," this is foreshadowing something to come; Melinda fears know one will speak to her. "The ten lies they tell you in high school," found on page five, foreshadow almost everything to come in Melinda's future. They state things like "Your schedule is based around you, and you will have time to get to your classes," which is not true because on page six Melinda says "My first class is biology. I can’t find it and get my first demerit for wandering the hall." Some of the ten lie talk about sports and about the cliques which Melinda doesn’t belong to. Literary terms can be found in both the first marking period and the second marking period.
Symbols can be found in the second marking period. The first symbol can be found on page forty-nine when the school changes the mascot yet again. The changing mascot is symbolic of that the students don’t have an identity. On page seventy-five when the gym teacher tells Melinda “You’re going places with that arm.” When the gym teacher says this it is symbolic that Melinda is worth something. Not only is there symbolisms in the second marking period, but themes are common. On Christmas Melinda says “Tears flood my eyes, they’ve noticed,” when Melinda says this, she is surprised that her parents actually know that she has an interest in drawing. This is symbolic that Melinda’s parents don’t know her very well, and she is surprised they notice her at all.
Not only is there symbolism in the second marking period, but there are also themes. Themes can be found in the second marking period that carries on throughout the story. The first theme can be found on page 59 when her parents are fighting “I want another doughnut but don’t feel like going through the fight.” This is symbolic that her parents don’t have a good relationship, and it all comes raining down on Melinda.
Literary terms aren’t just found in the second marking period but also the third. In the third marking period; symbolism can be found. The first symbol can be found on page ninety-six when Melinda tells us “I stop on a frozen puddle. Maybe he won’t notice me if I stand still. That’s how rabbits survive; they freeze in the presence of predators."That phrase is symbolic of how weak Melinda truly is compared to Andy Evans. On page 102 when Melinda says “that’s what I get for speaking up.” This is symbolic that Melinda doesn’t want to speak up about her struggles. Another symbol occurs on page 104 when Melinda says “Nothing good ever happens at lunch,” when Melinda says this, it is symbolic that she has few friends. Without many friends, Melinda looks at lunch like a war zone. The armies all suited up at their tables; ready to pounce at the slightest disgust. She sits alone in the corner; such an easy prey.
In addition to symbols there are themes that can be identified in the third marking period. On page ninety-five a theme of the identity-les students from The First Marking Period and the Second Marking Period shows once again. It says “the Wombat is dead. No assembly, no vote. Principal Principal made an announcement this morning." Although this time there is an added twist. Now the adults have full control over the students. No more sharing of opinions. No more speaking up. Another theme can be found on page 111. "A half forgotten holiday has unveiled every knife that sticks inside me, every cut." This unveils a new theme to us; Melinda is depressed. The text tells us that depression is eating away at Melinda. Like a kid with the giant rainbow lollypop, so easy nibble away; it can be done so quickly and with much joy. "If the cup were lead crystal I would open my mouth and take a bite. Crunch, crunch, swallow." Once again, the theme of depression continues.
In addition to themes there’s also foreshadowing. On page ninety-nine comes a foreshadow that is a very key element in the story. "I should probably tell someone, just tell someone. Get it over with. Let it out, blurt it out." This is the first step Melinda takes. She is thinking about telling someone for the first time ever. This foreshadows something to come; Melinda will soon tell Rachel and then proceed to tell Mr. Freeman. The thought of speaking crosses Melinda’s mind, in a good way, for the first time. Literary terms aren’t only found in the Third Marking Period but also the fourth.
In the fourth marking period you can find symbolism. The first symbol of the marking period is found on page 143 when Melinda shows us her relationship with her mother in a simple way. The text reads “Mom didn’t say much.” Within those few words Melinda packs a powerful message. The phrase is symbolic that Melinda and her mom don’t have a good relationship. The next symbol can be found on page 145 when Melinda says “I bit my lip, and then release it.” When Melinda bites her lip throughout the story, it’s symbolic that she is nervous and scared. The lips convey Melinda’s feelings through the story. The last symbol is found on page 155 when Melinda is about to present a report to the class but she is afraid to speak, the text reads “My insides feel like I’m caught in a tornado.” This is just another example that Melinda is afraid to speak, about anything. Another phrase that is symbolic that Melinda is afraid of speaking out is found on page 157. The text reads “Maybe I don’t like the sound of my voice.” This is proof once again that she is too scared to speak up, she can’t even stand to hear her voice.
Not only are there symbols but also themes in the fourth marking period. On page 141 the theme of no identity continues. It states “The PTA has started a petition to get rid of the hornet as our mascot.” This theme is very important to the novel. The students at Merryweather High have no identity; although this time the parents intervene and make the choices for them.
A motif is a reoccurring object or concept throughout the story. The first motif in the novel Speak is a mirror. On page fifty Melinda says “first thing to go is the mirror,” this is the start of the motif that will carry on throughout the novel. When Melinda says “First thing to go is the mirror,” she can’t look at herself; this is a symptom of depression. To carry on the motif, every time that Melinda sees a mirror, she turns it around or covers it. Mirrors show the weight that Melinda carries on her shoulders. If Melinda would just look in the mirror maybe she could see that all she needs to do is speak.
The mirror and the tree are both motifs that can be traced through the novel. The next motif found in Speak is the tree. Trees are very important throughout the story. It begins when Mr. Freeman has the students pick an object from a hat. They now have to draw, sculpt, and paint that object for the rest of the year. Melinda picks a tree. Her first drawings aren’t very good and this makes Melinda melancholy. Over the year her trees grow better. When Melinda uses bones from a turkey to tree, everybody loves it! The success makes Melinda glad. Her trees continue to grow over the year. In the fourth marking period Ivry helps Melinda draw a tree “We took turns adding branches..” This tree turns out to one of Melinda’s favorite trees. This tree represents two people, two people communicating as one, and growth.
Each marking period within the novel speak represents unique symbols, themes, foreshadows, and motifs. From the foreshadows, to motifs, this book is full of literary terms. These literary terms give the novel a deeper meaning.
