76 pages • 2 hours read
Show Me a Sign
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Essay Topics
Thomas is a Black freedman, but he identifies as Wampanoag. How does he explain his cultural affiliation to Mary? Why does she have difficulty understanding it?
Show Me a Sign explores many social distinctions made among types of people. Give three examples. Are the Martha’s Vineyard residents completely democratic within their own community?
Mary cherishes her brother’s map of the island. Why? How is it used to further the plot?
The story is told from Mary’s perspective. Why do you think LeZotte chose her as the narrator? Do you think a hearing narrator might have taken a different approach?
Deafness is defined in different ways by different characters. Give three examples of conflicting views of this condition.
Storytelling is an art employed by people who are deaf and people who are hearing. Describe how the methods of storytelling differ among people who are deaf. Do these methods offer any advantages over spoken storytelling?
How does Andrew view himself in relation to the inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard? What is his agenda in finding the cause of deafness?
Boston is radically different from Martha’s Vineyard in its treatment of people who are deaf. Describe some of the key differences, and cite specific evidence from the text.
Ezra is deaf and works in the outside world. How has this shaped his perspective on deafness? How does his experience influence Mary?
Writing becomes a key element of the plot in Show Me a Sign. How do writing materials, or the lack of them, affect Mary’s future?
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