Medical & Early Intervention
This medical tool was used by the doctor on Straight Beak's beak during his first check-up.
What is a stethoscope?
This specific association honored the school principal with a plaque.
What is the AG Beak Association?
In the bird world allegory, the "Eagles" represent this real-world group.
Who are hearing people (the hearing world)?
SB's parents asked these people to take care of him after their death.
Who are his siblings?
These are eaten in the valley as a symbol of the natural (Deaf) lifestyle.
What are berries?
When the interventions tried by Mama and Papa didn't work, the continually signed "still __________ __________."
What is "straight beaked"?
Because of his "disability," Straight Beak was placed on this track instead of the college track.
What is a vocational/work track?
The school’s philosophy that a diploma makes them "eagles" corresponds to this historical philosophy in Deaf education.
What is oralism?
The parents' request for SB to be "cared for" implies that his place in the eagle world is one of this.
What is a dependent (or a burden/lower status)?
This is the (false) symbol that ensures to the eagles that the birds are "fixed" and can be independent.
What is the diploma (or graduation ceremony)?
What was the ultimate diagnosis of SB?
What is...100% straight beaked.
This is why the teacher was "infuriated" with the birds in Chapter 3.
What is...they had job ambitions which are considered beneath the status of an eagle (menial).
The "Valley" and "Singing" represent this positive aspect of the Deaf experience.
What is Deaf Culture (or the Deaf community) and using ASL?
Why did Straight Beak plead with a squirrel?
What is... he didn't want his family to see his lack of skill. Especially since he had a diploma.
When Straight Beak first lands in the valley, this feeling or action prevents him from "acculturating" with the other birds.
What is...he is resistant due to being taught that singing and eating berries is beneath an Eagle.
Mama and Papa visited a Faith Healer, a Native American Medicine Man, and many doctors to find a solution. What Stage of Grief were they experiencing?
What is... Bargaining
The teacher continued to praise Straight Beak despite his inability to perform this specific eagle skill.
What is hunting?
This specific physical intervention serves as a metaphor for forced speech therapy.
What is beak bending?
This character provided "assurances" to Mama that leaving SB at school would make him an eagle.
Who is the Principal?
When Straight Beak returns home and is found singing, he is told to never sing again. What historic movement does this symbolize?
What is oralism... to be oral, you have to give up signing.
These are the two long-term primary physical "treatments" or "corrections" used to try and fix the birds' differences when SB was young.
What are beak bending and wing stretching?
SB was taught to hunt using an "inauthentic" substitution, what was it? Why was this a bad subsitute?
What is a fake "dummy" rabbit? Real animals are far heavier than the dummy animals. The birds had a false sense of competency.
Straight Beak’s "epiphany" at the end of Chapter 6 is the realization that he has been living in this state.
What is "imprisoned"?
This is the primary reason SB's career potential was limited in Chapter 4.
What is...the eagles are so focused on "eagle" skills that they are blind to the talents and interests that were natural to SB.
This sentiment of Mama and Papa is the at the root of SB's childhood "treatments."
What is the need to "fix" or "cure" him (pathological view)? He is not good enough.