Out of My Mind

Melody’s computer, which she names “Elvira” after a favorite song, is groundbreaking in that it allows her to pre-program words and sentences, then push a button so that the computer reads the thought out loud. This computer symbolizes freedom of expression for Melody, something she had not had before.

Ollie the goldfish, won by Melody’s dad at a carnival, symbolizes a microcosm of Melody’s life. Like Melody, Ollie cannot express himself and is forced to remain in his small fishbowl, trapped. Melody feels an affinity with the fish because she understands what it’s like to not be able to speak and to be restricted in movement and space. When Ollie jumps out of his bowl, Melody tries in vain to save him. She notes that he might not have been able to handle life anymore, a sentiment she often shares.

Exposed to music as an infant, Melody finds that music is a way she can engage her senses. Certain sounds prompt particular images in her mind; some songs or snippets of tunes she associates with color. As a motif throughout the book, music symbolizes pure joy and escapism for Melody.

Early in the novel, Melody’s father gives her a small, stuffed cat toy. Due to her condition, she is unable to reach out and hold it. The toy falls to the floor, and Melody compares herself to it, as she has often fallen to the floor as well. The cat represents Melody’s permanent physical limitations.

Melody’s third-grade teacher treats all the “special needs” students as if they are dumb and slow. She plays a CD of music for babies repeatedly in class. When Melody finally has a meltdown in frustration because of the low level the class is taught at, her mother comes to school to check on her. When Mrs. Brooks realizes that the teacher has been playing baby music to the students, she takes the CD and breaks it in half. The CD symbolizes the frustration facing “special needs” students and their families.