The Concept of Integrity in Speak (Essay Example)

“I want to confess everything, to hand over the guilt and mistake and anger to someone else.” (Anderson) In the book Speak, the novel’s protagonist, Melinda Sordino, suffers a trauma the night before the first day of school. The concept of integrity plays a major role throughout the novel. The author, Laurie Halse Anderson, portrays Mel as if she lacks integrity, but when analyzed, she has honor above all others.

Initially, Mel is portrayed as the shy, insecure, teenager starting high school. Many look at her as though they have never been more disgusted with someone or something in their lives. They look at Mel this way because she ratted out a party at the end of summer, she is perceived as a snitch even though no one knew that she only called the police that night because she had been raped. Mel suffered a traumatic event and had no one to turn to during all of it because her friends saw her as the snitch. “It's easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.” (Anderson) Mel says this when she is at her lowest point, the author portrays her as if she begins regretting and contemplating everything that is going on and what everyone thinks of her. 

Furthermore, Anderson has an intelligent outlook on the book and how Mel is being portrayed and perceived. Instead of the author solving Mel’s problems all at once, she starts to capture the image of growing. Mel gets to grow from the event that took place at the party. “A little kid asks my dad why that man is chopping down the tree. Dad: He's not chopping it down. He's saving it. Those branches were long dead from disease. All plants are like that. By cutting off the damage you make it possible for the tree to grow again. You watch - by the end of summer, this tree will be the strongest on the block.” (Anderson) The author compares the tree to Mel because sometimes it takes cutting someone down to see their full potential and growth. 

However, when looked into deeper, the author gives Mel honor and integrity over everything else. “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” (Anderson) This short but extensive line plays a major role in the book from beginning to end, once Mel understands this truth many of her problems begin to fade away. She starts to acknowledge why the truth has to come out at some point. The author portrays Mel at the beginning of the book as someone who would never tell what truly happened, however towards the end of the book Mel tells her story and speaks up even in diversity. 

In conclusion, the author uses the character growth throughout the novel to show what all Mel has been through. The adage “never judge a book by its cover” applies to this novel because even though it seems like everything Mel did was wrong, it was for her good and well-being. Once this is revealed everyone soon realizes that they were consumed in themselves instead of focusing on someone else and their issues. The author relates this book to many people because even though one might not see it, some have to break to get the full effect from life.