Essay On Thanksgiving

During the second marking period Melinda starts to become a little more creative with her artwork and within herself. Thanksgiving occurs during the second marking period. Melinda’s mother was in charge of making Thanksgiving meal, but has to leave for work unexpectedly. Her father is now in charge, but he is not the best cook. He ruins Thanksgiving dinner and throws everything in the trash. Later on Melinda digs the turkey bones out of the trash because she thinks she will be able to make a memorial for her family Thanksgiving turkey. “Mr. Freeman is thrilled. He tells me to work on the bird but keep thinking tree” (Anderson, 61). Melinda tries to make different art pieces out of the turkey bones, but she can’t quite make something that she

A kindergartner could carve a better tree” (Anderson, 103). Melinda is still not able to create a tree for Mr. Freeman’s art class which also represents she still cant find the right time, place, and person to tell about being raped. One day after school Melinda needs a ride home and Mr. Freeman offers to do so. Mr. Freeman tells Melinda, “I’m seeing a lot of growth in you work. You are learning more than you know” (Anderson, 121). Mr. Freeman sees something that Melinda doesn’t see within herself. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Art is about making mistakes and learning from them” (Anderson, 122). During this car ride Mr. Freeman gives Melinda advice about her artwork. “The next time you work on your trees, don’t think about trees. Think about love, or hate, or joy, or rate-whatever makes you feel something” (Anderson, 122). This was good advice to give to Melinda, the next time Melinda works on her art she needs to think about the frustration and hurt of being raped by Andy Evans. Mr. Freeman is an influence to Melinda and Melinda is beginning to like him and to trust him. When Mr. Freeman drops Melinda off and tells her, “You’re a good kid. I think you have a lot to say. I’d like to hear it” (Anderson, 123). Mr. Freeman tells Melinda that he will always be there if she would like to speak to