MovieChat Forums > Children of a Lesser God (1986) Discussion > A great theme behind this movie

A great theme behind this movie

posted 17 years ago by KRJ548
3 replies | jump to latest

Yesterday I watched "Children of a Lesser God" on Lifetime. While I thought this movie was wonderfully executed, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that Sarah never did learn to speak James' language (the language of the "hearing world").

But now, I think I have a deeper understanding of Sarah's choice not to speak. Her decision is actually one that could go beyond the world of deaf people. Basically, I feel that the moral lesson of this movie is that even though our circumstances can prevent us from doing many of the "normal" things in life, it doesn't mean that we can't still enjoy living. Instead, we must become innovators and find ways to make life "work" for us.

As we saw in the movie, Sarah was very bitter about the hearing world's treatment of deaf people who do not speak. But she let that anger take over her life, and soon, she began using her silence as a means to defend herself against being hurt by the world again.

Silence also enabled Sarah to feel in control of the relationships in her life. Though she did not control James as a person, she did control his ability to know her for who she really is. Up until the end, Sarah allowed people to only see her as a deaf woman who didn't care about being a part of their hearing world. But James saw through that shield that Sarah was so much more.

Even though I had hoped that Sarah learned to speak, I understand why she did not. She has accepted that her voice isn't the best way to express herself in the world; but instead of shrinking back into silence, she becomes, in essence, an innovator and finds a new way to express who she really is: love. And from that loves comes all the other things: honesty, compassion, and confidence.

For those who are deaf, I think this movie shows people that neither James nor Sarah's original approach to the hearing world is perfect. While deaf people should not feel ashamed of their differences from the hearing world, they must find some way to survive in it. Whether they do so through learning to speak or (as in Sarah's case) learning to love, it is perfectly fine.

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 16 years ago

Well written. The final line also reinforces the theme:

"Do you think there's someplace where we can meet that's not in silence and not in sound?"

And they did that by professing mutual love for each other. Earlier, Sarah used sign language defensively, to submit to James's questions and demands. Not communication, just an example of the dominant ideology in action. He even thinks he 'loves' her because his control conditions that illusion. When he finds out why she adopted her silence, he realises his similar mistake and Sarah was then able to open up to him about her anger. That was as basic a communication as was needed. Like you imply, basic understanding and giving each other freedom can be more effective than using each other.

I wonder if the scenes without Sarah in them were used to illustrate how much at fault James was. The film lacked the same heart during those moments and now i think it was an intentional contrast. James was using his more callow students (compared to Sarah) to express what he wanted to hear (which they couldn't), though when he dunks the basketball, he prevents the student from trying again and learning for himself.

"We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art. In such miraculous harmony."

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 14 years ago

Bump.

"The royal penis is clean."

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]