Here's how:
* Silence: Melinda's lips are often described as being "sealed," "stuck," or "glued shut." This imagery reflects her inability to speak about the trauma she experienced, the rape she endured. She literally cannot bring herself to articulate the words that would reveal her pain and shame.
* Fear of judgment: Melinda's fear of being judged by others, particularly her peers, manifests in her reluctance to speak. She imagines her lips forming words, only to erase them out of fear. Her lips become a physical representation of her internal struggle to find her voice.
* Reclaiming her voice: As Melinda begins to heal and find her voice, her lips become a symbol of her growing strength and resilience. The novel concludes with Melinda finally speaking up and telling her truth. This act of reclaiming her voice is reflected in her newfound confidence and the ability to speak her truth, literally and figuratively.
In "Speak," Melinda's lips are more than just a physical feature; they are a powerful symbol of her journey through silence, trauma, and ultimately, healing. They reflect her internal struggles, her fears, and her gradual rediscovery of self-expression.