Speak tree Symbolism  Madison Michonski, Olivia Towianski, Luke Strine, Lauren Patrick, Carter Kemmerling

Symbol Presentation: Part 1 When Melinda picks out what her year assignment in art, she says, " Tree. Tree? It's too easy. I learned how to draw a tree in second grade. I reach for another piece of paper … Mr. Freeman shakes his head. 'Ah-ah-ah,' he says. 'You just chose your destiny, you can't change that' " (12).  The symbol was first introduced in the art room. What Mr. Freeman means is that you can't change what has happened to you in the past but you can make the most of it.

SYMBOL PRESENTATION: PART 2 While drawing in the mall with Ivy, Melinda states, “I extend the branch, but it's too long and spindly. I start to erase it but Ivy stops me. 'It's fine the way it is, it just needs some leaves' ... She's right"(146). The above passage is to show the reader that the tree symbolizes life. When in Melinda is in art class she describes what her art looks like, she states, "I've been painting watercolors of trees that have been hit by lightning. I try to paint them so they are nearly dead, but not totally" (30-31). This shows that the tree symbolizes Melinda’s feelings, this is because she feels hopeless.

Symbol Presentation: part 2 continued While outside watching a tree being cut down Melinda's dad tells her, "And the tree is sick. See how the branches on the left have no buds?" (167).  The above example symbolizes the rape as a part of Melinda’s life. During history class, Melinda sketches a tree. She states, " I … focus on my doodle, a pine tree … Every mistake I make is frozen in the picture" (52). The above shows that the tree is symbolic of the mistakes Melinda has made.

Symbol presentation part: 3 Melinda is reviewing her tree before turning it in on the last day. She states, "I look at my homely sketch. It doesn't need anything … It isn't perfect and that makes it just right" (198). Even though she is literally talking about her tree, she has learned the same thing about her life from working on this tree. Like a tree, Melinda had to let go of parts of herself that were wounded so that she could experience healthy new growth. Melinda had trouble drawing her tree at the beginning, but at the end she was able to draw it because she found out who she was.

Symbol Presentation: Part 4 Theme: Anderson uses tree to suggest that life is full of mistakes that we can grow past as long as we don't dwell on them. Melinda is describing her final tree when she says, "My tree … is not perfectly symmetrical … I try to make it look as if initials have been carved into it a long time ago. One of the lower branches is sick … that branch better drop soon so it doesn't kill the whole thing … The new growth is the best part" (196). She tries to make the tree have a past life and mistakes, but she also makes sure that it looks like it has grown past that and lived anyways.