1. Why is hearing so important to language acquisition? How does the impact of a gradual loss of hearing differ from deafness from birth?

2. How does Nieminen show that she sees a patriarchal social order as a given, particularly in her dealings with her husband and sons?

3. What problems and benefits does Nieminen's deafness present to her husband and sons? Are they helpful or harmful to her?

4. In what ways do Nieminen's middle-class European values conflict with those of the islanders?

5. How does Nieminen's deafness affect her writing style?

6. Compare Clyde's and Nieminen's ways of dealing with the deaf children.

How do the adults' backgrounds help explain their approaches? Does either adopt a sentimental approach?

7. What factors lead to Nieminen's failure to aid Roger Alfonso as much as she had hoped? In what ways may her good intentions have helped or harmed him?

8. How do...