51 pages • 1 hour read
Sharon M. DraperOut of My Dreams
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Blue Jays
Blue jays are a recurring motif in the novel, symbolizing resilience and freedom. They first appear in the novel because Mrs. V has a particular fondness for them and leaves them birdseed. Mrs. V, in turn, connects the bids with Melody, commenting that the birds and Melody are both “scrappy and tough” (13). As Melody watches the jays and envies their ability to simply lift their wings and fly, she notices Miss Gertie’s fall and rushes to take action. In this way, the blue jays come to represent Melody’s own physical and metaphorical “flight,” for this inciting incident leads to her life-changing trip to London, where she expands her own horizons. Throughout the novel, whenever Melody thinks of the blue jays or notices a blue bird that reminds her of Mrs. V’s jays, the protagonist uncovers new reserves of strength and resilience as the jays remind her of Mrs. V’s unwavering support and belief in Melody’s abilities. The jays also remind Melody of her quest for freedom and independence.
At the end of the novel, Melody reflects on how far she has come and realizes that it all began with a single blue jay that drew her attention out the window. After struggling with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, Melody finally recognizes her own “scrappy” capabilities. Draper further emphasizes this connection when Melody gives herself a pep talk before the speech by telling herself to “soar”; this phrasing invokes the imagery of the flying jays that she envied for their ability to soar at will.
Elvira
Elvira, Melody’s assistive communication device, serves as a symbol of her ability to connect with the world around her. By personifying Elvira, Draper emphasizes how crucial the device is to Melody’s sense of participation and aliveness, making it not just a tool, but an intrinsic part of her identity. When Melody jokes that Elvira’s voice should sound like Beyoncé, this scene demonstrates that Melody can use Elvira to showcase more of her personality and her sense of humor. Even when she thinks about Elvira on her own, Melody’s true nature emerges. For example, she imagines that she could be the person to improve the voice offerings on Elvira and improve the technology for assistive devices. Having Elvira helps Melody to feel free, relaxed, and able to think; before she had Elvira, all of her thoughts remained stuck in her head.
After visiting the British museum, Melody likens Elvira to the Rosetta Stone, and this metaphor underscores the device’s role in translating her thoughts and granting others access to her rich interior life. The device’s significance also transcends that of mere communication, for Elvira also comes to symbolize freedom and liberation, allowing Melody to break free from her silent isolation and engage meaningfully with those around her. Elvira illustrates the profound impact of assistive technology on Melody’s autonomy and self-expression, functioning as a motivating force that helps Melody to recognize the value of technological innovation for people with disabilities. Ona more practical note, Elvira also represents Melody’s connection to the internet, as the device enables her to research topics in real time so that she can deepen her understanding of the various sights she visits. Internet access constitutes a different kind of flight for Melody: one that symbolizes her soaring creative thoughts.
Dreams
The significance of dreams, which appear in the very first chapter, add considerable depth to the overall narrative. The story begins with Melody having a dream of herself walking, talking, and delivering a speech. Although Melody does not initially see the dream as realistic, she eventually stretches her own capabilities and builds her confidence, accomplishing her own version of the dream. Melody thinks of her dreams as weightless, liberating bubbles that are free from gravity or the challenges of her disability. Melody often escapes into her “dreams and wishes” (150), the liminal, incorporeal places that allow her to forget what she cannot do. As the novel’s title suggests, Melody’s journey involves leaving the realm of dreams and actually traveling to the places that she had previously only dreamed about and read about in books. By taking a risk and embarking on the trip to London, Melody has new experiences that surpass her dreams, taking them “into the stratosphere” (190). Draper uses such phrasing to show that Melody’s real-life experiences exceed her own expectations and stretch her own dreams to be more purposeful and expansive. By the end of the novel, Melody believes that her dreams matter, and she resolves to share her ideas with the conference in order to inspire others. Her speech synthesizes all that she has learned through her experience, emphasizing the importance of dreaming and of turning those dreams into realities.
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By Sharon M. Draper
