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Use Of Bravery In Anderson's Speak

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Nelson Mandela has an exceptional point of view on courage, as he once said "Courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." Like Mr. Mandela, Melinda Sordino in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson also learned this throughout her time as a ninth grader. The character Melinda has many encounters that test her courage throughout the book.

The first act of bravery that stood out to me was when Melinda put her emotion's into art. In the beginning of the year Melinda did not want people to know what she was thinking or feeling and that showed in her artwork. She would try so hard but all her painting were boring and lifeless. Towards the end of the book she got more confident with her art and started painting with her feelings. "I look at my homely sketch... it isn't perfect and that makes it just right" (Anderson 198). After that, her teacher …show more content…

He taunted her all year, he was her worst nightmare. When Andy came into the janitors closet and trapped Melinda she was terrified and worried. He started to do something she didn't like, and Melinda's voice finally came out. "A sound exploded from me. NNNOOO!!!" (194). She yelled and screamed until he listened. This is an act of courage because Melinda is an introvert, she's quiet, and she lets people walk over her. This was her first time standing up for herself. Many people like Melinda think they will be criticized for speaking up, she had the bravery to do it anyways.

In Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino shows the most courage throughout the book. She displays acts of courage by showing her emotion in her artwork, talking to Rachel, and standing up to Andy. Melinda had a tragic experience in her life, but still had enough bravery to do all of those things. Lee Jampolsky one said "Take a moment and ask yourself what is really important. Have the wisdom and the courage to build your life around your

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