Sound and Fury

Throughout the film, several arguments were displayed between the two families as well as among them. The main topics of these arguments were deaf culture, childhood experiences, and what’s best for their child to be successful in the future. In all of the arguments, there are many valid points that one ponders not matter deaf or hearing. All parents experience a time when they question whether what they are doing is best for their child. Also, parents decide what culture and experiences they are exposed to at a young age.

The most prominent argument throughout the film is between Peter, his wife Nita, and Peter’s mother. Multiple times their voices and body language raised as the conversations became more intense. Peter’s mother argued with logos that Heather would have both worlds with the cochlear implant and therefore have expanded opportunities in the future with education and jobs. Heather’s parents argued with pathos that Heather would lose all touch with deaf culture which is very important in them. Because their family is also surrounded by deaf culture and Heather’s parents are deaf, they want her to be like them-a deaf family.

The second argument that hit me as important in their decision with Heather was directed towards her childhood and how it would be affected. Heather’s parents were concerned about how she would react with children her age after the implant if they decided to go through with it. They even visited several schools and homes where children with the implant were located. Peter and Nita wanted her to interact with both the deaf and hearing and they didn’t think that was possible with the cochlear implant. Peter’s mother assured them that she would be able to but their pathos towards deaf discourse was too great.

Peter engaged in an intense argument with his mom. His mom was very pro-cochlear and he was strongly against it. His mother saw the struggles that her son went through and used past experiences to take a stance on the family issue. She felt that the implant would give her granddaughter a more normal life and would be able to get a better education and communicate better as a whole. Peter argued that he turned out just fine and is successful in his workplace while providing for his family. Both sides of the argument are valid which makes for a heated debate and proves no answer is necessarily wrong.