What does the trees Melinda must draw for art class symbolize in the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson?

Question

I have to write an essay for my english class, and I was wondering what the trees Melinda Sordino has to draw in the book symbolize?

Answer 1

They symbolize Melinda and her emotional journey.  Her happiness fell from her like leaves when she gets raped.  But after her resulting depression (like winter) she is able to recover and regrow her leaves in spring.