Mr. Neck Character Analysis in Speak

A bullying bigot, Mr. Neck is Melinda’s social studies teacher, often singling her out for mistreatment because of her silence and sullenness. When his son doesn’t get a job as a firefighter, Mr. Neck goes on an anti-immigrant rant, and earns the anger of David Petrakis, who eventually ends up protesting him along with Melinda. To Melinda, Mr. Neck is the epitome of everything wrong with adulthood—he uses his power to hurt people, refuses to listen, and is blind to anything that contradicts his point of view.

Mr. Neck Character Timeline in Speak

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Neck appears in Speak. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...after hesitating too long as she looks for somewhere to sit, Melinda is reprimanded by Mr. Neck , her future social studies teacher. Another isolated student, who introduces herself as “Heather from... (full context)

...freewriting time to mock Hairwoman. In social studies, meanwhile, Melinda is stuck with the bullying Mr. Neck . She comments that the school social studies curriculum is the same every year (American... (full context)

As Melinda tries to run away, Mr. Neck stops her. She is unable to explain why she is leaving, and Mr. Neck gives... (full context)

After lunch Melinda has art, which she calls a “dream.” In contrast to Hairwoman and Mr. Neck , her art teacher Mr. Freeman is friendly and open-minded; his classroom, meanwhile, is full... (full context)

...a stack of books, and adds that she “might even read one.” Melinda then evades Mr. Neck (also after missing homework), and stumbles upon an old janitor’s closet in the Senior’s Wing... (full context)

...comments that the Ecology Club is planning a protest because tigers are an endangered species . Mr. Neck , meanwhile, is furious about the protest, believing that it shows insubordination and a lack... (full context)

Mr. Neck furiously begins a rant against immigrants, whom he claims have kept his son from getting... (full context)

After Mr. Neck claims that “America should have closed her borders in 1900,” the class debates, until one... (full context)

...the students are rebellious, and David Petrakis is fighting for his freedom of speech in Mr. Neck’s social studies class. As Melinda watches, David turns on a tape recorder every time Mr.... (full context)

...volunteer, and learns that the Petrakises’ lawyer has threatened to sue the school district and Mr. Neck . The next day, David has also set up a video camera in the back... (full context)

...sign requiring her to behave well, and when she cuts class, MISS is her punishment . Mr. Neck is supervising Melinda along with two other students, one of whom is a skinhead, and... (full context)

When Mr. Neck is preoccupied, Andy blows in Melinda’s ear, and she fantasizes about killing him. (full context)

David Petrakis’s lawyer has prevailed over Mr. Neck , which means that David has begun to take over social studies class with “drawn-out,... (full context)

...her report, calling it “the best report ever,” and even hands it in on time . Mr. Neck , however, knowing that Melinda refuses to speak, tells her that she needs to deliver... (full context)

Melinda is enraged that Mr. Neck is forcing her to read her report just to bully her, and asks David Petrakis... (full context)

Melinda tells David Petrakis that Mr. Neck gave her a D on her report. He comments that her parents should also sue;... (full context)