Question

1. why does melinda stop speaking in class and what deeper reason is connected to her silence?
2. how does the art - project of the “tree” reflect melindas growth or struggles? (give one example of how her attempts to draw it mirror her emotions.)
3. how does the novel show melinda beginning to find her voice by the end of march? (what small steps show shes starting to heal?)

Explanation:

1. Melinda may stop speaking in class due to trauma, such as being a victim of a serious incident like sexual assault, which makes her withdraw and feel voiceless in a social - academic setting.
2. If Melinda has trouble drawing the tree, it could reflect her inner struggle. For example, if the tree is misshapen or she repeatedly erases parts of it, it may mirror her fragmented sense of self and the difficulty in expressing her emotions and growth.
3. By the end of March, Melinda may start to find her voice through small steps like speaking up in a small - group discussion, or sharing a personal thought in class. These actions show she is beginning to heal from her emotional wounds and regain confidence.

Answer:

1. Melinda may stop speaking due to trauma.
2. Difficulty in drawing the tree reflects inner struggle.
3. Small steps like speaking in group discussions show healing.