Deaf Hollywood : deaf representation in the cinema

Abstract

This dissertation discusses examples of stereotypical representations of deafness, and deaf culture within cinema, specifically two films, Children of a Lesser God (1986) and The Quiet (2005). Since this study is concerned with representation in film, I drew upon a variety of theorists who discuss these subjects. The dissertation also focuses specifically on deaf representation and the deaf community. Moreover, the study also examines semiotics, both from a philosophical point of view, as well as a methodological tool. In fact, the study concludes with a qualitative analysis; a comparison is carried out, implementing semiotics, to extrapolate meaning from the structures of representation present in the two texts. The aim of this study is to investigate deaf representations in these specific texts and observe if there were any changes throughout the years.