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Part 2, Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Speak, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age
Communication versus Silence
Appearance versus Reality
Family and Friendship
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression
Memory and Trauma
Summary
Analysis
Mr. Stetman is still determinedly trying to teach his class algebra; Melinda admires him, but refuses to learn or pay attention, even though he is trying to get the class interested through “Real-Life Application[s]” of algebra. A problem about guppies gets off track, and the class begins to debate animal rights. Melinda, meanwhile, watches the snow fall outside the window.
The students of Merryweather High remain disruptive and ridiculous. Melinda, meanwhile, stays as disconnected and disengaged as always. She makes no attempt to understand algebra, or even to watch her teacher.
Themes
