Symbolism of Teacher's Names

According to dictionary.com symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s book Speak, Melinda’s teachers are nicknamed by Melinda.  The names are not just nicknames, but symbols of how each teacher is perceived, looks, acts, or a combination of the three. 

            Melinda gives Mr. Neck his name for his appearance of having a thicker neck than head (the typical jock look according to Melinda).  He is the social studies teacher who is quick to judge Melinda multiple times on the first day at school.  “I knew you were trouble the first time I saw you.  I’ve taught here for twenty-four years and I can tell what’s going on in a kid’s head just by looking in their eyes” (9).  Mr. Neck didn’t take into account the reason Melinda was leaving the cafeteria, which was to clean herself up after getting mashed potatoes spilled on her shirt.  This is prime symbolization of Mr. Neck, since he is not using his head.  Mr. Neck doesn’t often think clearly or seem to care about the students.  Another time Mr. Neck doesn’t think is when David Petrakis stands up to him during class and gets himself into a lawsuit with David’s family (56).   Mr. Neck is solid, set in his ways and not a thinker. 

Hairwoman, who is introduced on page six, is the English teacher.  Melinda compared her to a monarch butterfly because of her black and orange hair.  I picture Hairwoman as Medusa, the Greek goddess who has snakes coming out of her head; only Hairwoman has unkempt stringy hair instead of snakes coming from her head.  In a crazy way Hairwoman is able to reach out to the students.  After her first assignment failed she started hitting the students interests’, for example assigning papers titled, “The best lost homework excuse ever” and “How I would change high school” (85).   Throughout the book she along with Mr. Freeman encourage students to observe and make connections with symbolism. 

Mr. Freeman is the art teacher.  Melinda describes his as ugly, but notices his smile on the first day of class (10).  He believes in helping students find the wind, their imagination, and how to make art have soul.  His room is a place where Melinda feels safe from the beginning but knows she will be encouraged to push her creative limits.  Mr. Freeman tells Melinda her art is getting better but it is not good enough during the fourth marking period (153).  Mr. Freeman is not afraid of much and is honest.  His painting of the school board members shows he is not even worried about the men who give him a paycheck.  As time goes by Melinda realizes Mr. Freeman is the only teacher that believes in her and letting her take her time to become free.  She is able to become free through art, time, and his support.

While reading The Scarlet Letter, Hairwoman teaches the class about symbolism.  Stating every part of the piece is done for a reason, it all has a purpose.  She explained how symbols, such as the weather, show a reader how a character is feeling (100).  Ironically, through winter is when Melinda was having the hardest time coping with her life. The lessons on the use of symbols to symbolize a bigger meaning, as well as the names of the teachers in Speak are used for a purpose.