Skip to main content

What is some useful information on The Mask of Benevolence by Harlan Lane other than the summary?

Another bit of information that will help you is the explanation of the themes of this book. The two main themes discussed here are the mistaken benevolence of hearing people and the failure of current education for the deaf.


The title of the book comes from the mistaken benevolence of hearing people who try to “help” the deaf. Hearing people make many decisions about deaf education. Hearing people try to “help” by insisting on lip...

Another bit of information that will help you is the explanation of the themes of this book. The two main themes discussed here are the mistaken benevolence of hearing people and the failure of current education for the deaf.


The title of the book comes from the mistaken benevolence of hearing people who try to “help” the deaf. Hearing people make many decisions about deaf education. Hearing people try to “help” by insisting on lip reading instead of manual sign language. This deprives children of socialization and culture. Hearing people try to “help” by labeling the deaf as “disabled” so that they cannot get the opportunities of bilingual education. Finally, hearing people try to “help” by using science such as the cochlear implant (that damages deaf culture by forcing children to hear).


A second theme is theme of deaf education and, specifically, its failure. Deaf education is mostly dictated by hearing people and involves lip reading in order for children to acclimate to the hearing world. Mainstreaming is a large part of deaf education. The author asserts that, instead of mainstreaming, it is bilingual education that should be the focus. Because of the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, minorities can be taught core subjects in their native language and English as a second language. The author asserts that the deaf are one of these minorities. Deaf education is still failing, but is taking strides in a positive direction through steps like the Gallaudet Revolution in 1988, which required a deaf president to lead the university for the deaf.


Thus, the author presents himself as one of those few hearing people who are truly willing to listen to the ideas of the deaf. Further, Harlan Lane calls for revolutionary changes in order to truly empower the deaf community.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...