In Speak, by Laurie Halse I think the most predominant symbol throughout the book is trees. Trees are a vast part of Melinda’s life, they symbolize life and growth. Melinda lived life kind of through trees.  Melina is assigned to focus on creating trees in her Mr. Freeman’s art class in the beginning of the year, she draws “TREE”. At first it bothers her because she thinks that “Tree? That is too easy!  Anyone can draw a tree." She comes to realize the complexity and beauty in trees, as at they first started off really plain, kind of like herself. It is hard for Melinda to express herself because she "can't bring it to life" (p. 78). 

             When she was raped it was a place where there was a ton of trees. There was the dying tree in her yard. Melinda is fascinated with raking leaves, in effort to beautify her yard. She cleans the piles of neglected leaves, "The sun goes behind a cloud and I shiver. I should have worn a sweatshirt. The wind rustles the dead leaves still clinging to the oak branches by the street. All I can think of is that the rest of the leaves are going to drop and I'll have to keep on raking...I shouldn't have raked anything. Look what I started." (167) Melinda can relate to the trees in her life. As the trees, she is full of life; and after being raped she had a hard time dealing and feeling truly alive. Through the book as she deals, Melinda finds that through expressing herself she can grow as a person, and live again. Mr. Freeman tells Melinda "When people don’t express themselves, they die one piece at a time and walk through their days with no idea who they are."