Teachers shape melinda's identity. For example Mr. Freeman impacts Melinda by saying “Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag”(122) So Mr.Freeman saying this tells her that she can't go through life or school without all her components . This shapes melidas identity by encouraging her to work to get all her components back.
Secondly friends shape Melinda's identity. For example Mr. Freeman relating to art by saying “Dont be so hard on yourself