“We all agree we are
here to help. Let’s start with these grades. They are not what we expected from
you Melissa” (Principal Principal, 114).
In Speak grades
are used to symbolize the psychological welfare of Melinda. The book does not
have chapters and has only four parts, “First Marking Period,” “Second Marking
Period,” “Third Marking Period,” and “Fourth Marking Period.” The first three
end with a report card showing the grades that she received during that marking
period. The structure of the book is based on the grading system of Melinda’s
school. I believe the author was making a statement here. I think the grades
Melinda receives reflect the trauma she endured. The reader sees that deterioration
of her grades and can tell how she is dealing with her trauma. But while the
reader can see that the grades are a reflection of the psychological welfare of
Melinda no one else seems to pick up on this.
Melinda’s grades symbolize her
psychological state after the trauma she endured and this becomes apparent to
the reader in subtle ways throughout the book. When Melinda receives the grades
for her first marking period the reader knows that these grades aren’t normal
for her because of her parents’ reaction. “My parents commanded me to stay
after school every day for extra help from teachers” (50). But yet the parents don’t
care to find out why she is doing so poorly. At the end of the second marking
period the reader finds that her grades are even worse and she is in trouble
for skipping class. The Principal holds a meeting with the guidance counselor
and Melinda’s parents to resolve the issue. This is when we find that Melinda
used to get really good grades. “Melinda. Last year you were a straight-B
student, no behavior problems, few absences” (114). The meeting ends up being a
failure because everyone fails to see the real issue. Her mom says, “She’s
jerking us around to get attention” (114). Her dad blames the school, “What
have you done to her? I had a sweet, loving girl last year, but as soon as she
comes up here, she clams up, skips school, and flushes her grades down the
toilet” (114). The guidance counselor blames the parents, “Do the two of you have
marriage issues” (115)? The reader sees from this meeting that Melinda’s grades
are more significant because of the fact that they were so good before. The
reader realizes that her grades are following the same negative changes as
Melinda herself.
Throughout the book the reader is
given a very impersonal record of a very personal trauma. The grades tell the
reader nothing about her but yet everything all at the same time. They don’t
tell the reader how Melinda is feeling. They don’t tell why she is feeling that
way or what she intends to do about it. What the grades do tell is that Melinda
is getting worse. She is not improving and the reason why is because no one
cares about anything but grades. It’s
not until the fourth marking period that she starts to make improvements. She doesn’t get a reaction from her parents
about her grades after the third marking period. They have either given up or
realized that there is something far more serious than grades. At the end of
the “Fourth Marking Period” grades are not listed. Melinda has finally spoken
up and doesn’t need the grades to show the reader how she is progressing.
Melinda’s grades symbolize the
internal struggle she is experiencing. They give the reader a record of the progress
Melinda is making while dealing with her trauma. The grades are only needed as
long as she can’t speak for herself. Once she finally speaks up the grades disappear
and aren’t necessary anymore.
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