Characters and Perspective
Who narrates The Great Silence
A parrot (The story is told from a parrot's perspective).
What is the main idea of the story?
Humans ignore intelligence on Earth while searching for intelligent life in space
What is one big idea or theme in the story?
Humans do not always listen to or value other intelligent beings
How does the story feel overall? (funny, sad, serious, etc.)
Reflective, ironic, and serious.
In “The Great Silence is deafening,” what does “deafening” mean?
Very obvious or noticeable; ironic because humans are not listening.
Why does the narrator compare humans to parrots?
To show that humans ignore intelligence on Earth while looking for aliens.
How do humans try to talk to aliens?
By sending messages into space.
How does the story show the idea of communication?
By showing humans try to talk to aliens but ignore the parrots.
Find a word that shows the story’s tone. Why does it show the tone?
“Deafening” – it shows irony and criticism of humans.
What does “anthropocentric” mean? (Hint: humans first)
Human-centered; humans think they are the most important.
How do humans treat parrots in the story?
They keep them as pets and often ignore them.
Why is it funny or strange (ironic) that humans look for aliens?
Because they ignore intelligent animals on Earth.
What does the story say about animals going extinct?
Humans cause extinction by ignoring or harming animals.
How does the story make you feel when it talks about extinction?
Sad or serious.
Find one part where the story gives human-like thoughts to animals. Why is this important?
The parrots think and reflect like humans; it shows irony and critique.
What do the parrots notice that humans do not?
Human behavior and actions that humans ignore.
How do humans hurt or ignore other animals?
They destroy habitats and let species go extinct.
How does seeing things from the parrots’ view change how we see humans?
It shows humans’ flaws and how they neglect other species.
Why might you feel sorry for the parrots?
They are smart but ignored, and their species may go extinct.
Find a line that shows the narrator is frustrated with humans.
Why are the parrots smart in this story?
They watch humans closely and understand more than humans think.
What does the story say about humans thinking they are the most important?
That humans overestimate their importance and ignore other life forms.
What lesson does the story teach about listening to others?
We should pay attention to voices that are often ignored.
Give one way the author makes the story serious or thoughtful.
By describing extinction and showing humans' mistakes.
How does the story’s short, reflective style help explain its big ideas?
It makes the message clear, simple, and easy to understand.