Melinda Speak Character Analysis

The author’s message is that thawing out takes time and unless people feel cared or loved for they won’t express feelings. Melinda didn’t feel loved for which made her hurt herself by biting her lip and feeling depressed. Melinda started to thaw out a little to her friends David and Ivy because both of them helped her in some way. Melinda finally thawed out completely to Mr.Freeman because he showed that he cared for her which lead to Melinda telling him everything. Thawing out takes time and people need to feel loved and cared for in order to express their feelings
Melinda didn’t feel loved which made her hurt herself by biting her lip and feeling depressed. The author stated in the book “I bit my lip clear through. It needs stitches” (Anderson 136). Melinda’s situation is so serious that it made Melinda pass out and get stitches on her head. The book stated “David says I hit my head on the edge of the table on my way down. I need stitches” (Anderson 81). Melinda found a closet which she keeps coming back to because she wants to be all alone. In the book it said, “This closet is abandoned-it has no purpose,no name.” Melinda doesn’t have anyone to express her feelings with which leads to her
hurting herself and wanting to be left alone.
Melinda started to thaw out little to her friends David and Ivy because both of them helped her in some way. Ivy is a very good friend to Melinda and it shows by Ivy cleaning her shirt. “But Ivy and me have been sort of friendly the last few weeks… You can’t wash it while wearing it (Anderson 173). David cares enough to Melinda that he gives her a lecture. “Me: Do you lecture all your friends like this. David:Only the ones I like” (Anderson 159). Melinda was talking to Ivy at the mall and she stops talking but then starts to open up a little and talk “I bite my lip, then release it” (Anderson 145). Melinda overtime is thawing out little by little because her friends are showing that they care for her by helping her with the situation their in.
Melinda finally thawed out completely when Mr.Freeman cared for what Melinda was going through and she told him everything.
Mr.Freeman shows that he cares for Melinda by giving her a ride and seeing the good in her. “You’re a good kid. I think you have a lot to say. I’d like to hear it” (Anderson 123). By Mr.Freeman sending Ivy to help Melinda it shows that he cares for the well being of Melinda. “Then he sent me in here to see how you’re doing. “He’s worried about me?” (Anderson 173). Melinda finally thaws out completely and told Mr.Freeman about everything. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? Me: Let me tell you about” (Anderson 198). Mr.Freeman showed Melinda that he cared and loved her which made Melinda finally tell something everything she’s been going
through.