What defines you?

I never sit and think about what defines me in fine detail. I know I have likes and dislikes and I have things that I’m good at and things that I’m not as good at (or just not good at). I don’t necessarily have symbolism in my life like in Speak with the tree symbolizing Melinda as a character. But, I would define myself as a social and driven person who is athletic. I care about others and don’t let myself fall into a stereotypical group (University helps with that). I branch out to people that I wouldn’t necessarily see myself talking to or associating myself with. I have a kind and joking side and get along with most people I come across. The people around me help me define myself, because we have similar personalities and likes.

Some of the characters in Speak define themselves on what’s popular, not their true self. For example, Heather wanted to be with the popular groups, Marthas, and would do anything to have a moment with the group. She didn’t base her status on her true personality or her likes, she did whatever she had to do to join the group. How could she define herself when she was putting on a show the whole time, not necessarily expressing her true self/personality to the popular group? Melinda didn’t really define herself throughout the novel because she had no voice. That was in a way, how she defined herself at all. She was trapped in her own mind because of the incident that occurred to her and took control over her and led her to be so closed in. The incident defined Melinda for a long time, because it changed her to what she was and how she acted during the story. Not only was Melinda’s secret eating her up, but she hardly had a social life, or anyone to call her friend. According to Freud, when one isn’t recognized, they will go crazy. She is hardly noticed in her high school, and you can tell it gets to her in the novel. She hides herself in a closet and hides herself from people she doesn’t want to be noticed by. Speak by Laurie Anderson a is perfect example of Freud’s story The Social Me.