The Silence Between Us

Maya uses hearing aids but does not want cochlear implants. How does Maya portray the benefits and drawbacks of each of these technologies? What is her reasoning for accepting one but not the other? How does this choice characterize Maya, and how does it relate to the book’s thematic concern with The Role of Deafness in Shaping Identity?

How does the title The Silence Between Us relate to the central conflict of Maya’s story? How does it relate to the theme of The Importance of Communication in Healthy Relationships?

Jackson’s actions and motivations remain somewhat unclear throughout the story. What unspoken feelings motivate his discriminatory attitudes toward Maya? Does he represent more widespread forms of discrimination and prejudice in the hearing world?

A careful reader can predict many of the story’s plot developments from elements of foreshadowing and from the tropes common to the romance genre. In what ways does the novel subvert, challenge, or critique these expectations?

Maya’s presentation about the Deaf President Now protest is very important to her. Why is this protest such an important part of Deaf history? Why was it important for Gallaudet University to have a Deaf president? Does Maya’s presentation accomplish what she hopes it will accomplish? How do Maya’s own actions during this presentation contribute to its effect on her classmates? How does this section of the story contribute to the book’s overall themes of The Role of Deafness in Shaping Identity and Resilience in the Face of Discrimination?

Some advocates for disability rights object to the “disabled sibling” trope common in contemporary literature. What are their arguments against this trope? Is Gervais using this trope in The Silence Between Us, or is she doing something different with Connor’s character? How does your answer impact your perception of the book’s thematic arguments regarding discrimination and inclusivity?

Because Maya is the book’s narrator, the story of her romance with Beau is told almost entirely from her perspective. How does Gervais use characters like Kathleen, Nina, Melissa, and Maya’s mother to offer some other perspectives on the developing romance? What do these characters add to the reader’s understanding of Maya’s relationship with Beau?

Maya’s difficulties with creating a self-portrait are symbolic of her lack of understanding of herself. What causes her to be so uncertain about her identity during this period of her life? How does she reflect this in the self-portrait she eventually creates? Based on the book’s epilogue, do you think Maya would still struggle in the same way to complete this assignment if it were given again in her first year of college?