60 pages • 2 hours read
El Deafo
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Themes
Disability and Alienation
The central theme of El Deafo is one of disability and alienation—it defines Cece’s early life and influences the way she sees the world. Cece’s experience with disability is one of shame for most of her early life; it isn’t until she finds validation from her peers that she begins to see her disability as something that makes her unique. Cece’s coming-of-age story is defined by her disability and how it both helps and hinders her in her struggle to embrace her true self.
When Cece is young, she realizes that her disability makes her different. Before she even attends school, she notices that her hearing aids make her look different than her friend Emma. While their physical differences didn’t matter before, Cece sees this difference—between wearing hearing aids and not—as significant: “And now? Now, we look a lot different, and in a way that does matter. At least to me” (24). Cece feels different from Emma in a way that alienates her from her friend, who can’t understand Cece’s experience or struggles.
Cece continues to struggle with feelings of alienation as she attends school, makes friends, and moves into a new neighborhood. She feels isolated when children in her new neighborhood listen to the radio together; even with her hearing aids, she can’t understand the radio well enough to enjoy music or understand jokes. Even after she becomes accustomed to being different in school, she dreads moments that highlight her disability. We see this when she introduces new teachers to the Phonic Ear: “The first day back at school is always difficult. I have to walk past everyone’s desk to give my new teacher the microphone. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s showing the microphone to a teacher for the first time” (154). Cece struggles to feel “normal” when her disability is on display.
Cece fears social alienation from her peers as a result of her difference. This is valid, based on her experience and experiences she sees on TV—some children talk to her differently, pity her, or call her names. Ultimately, though, Cece’s fears of alienation are just that—fears. She is accepted and embraced by her classmates for her use of the Phonic Ear and can accept herself as a result.
Superheroes and Agency
Superheroes go hand in hand with agency in this story. This is particularly true of Cece’s creation of El Deafo, the superhero version of herself. Superheroes allow Cece to explore her unique character traits in a positive way, bringing her empowerment and agency rather than shame and fear.
Cece first sees herself as a superhero when she discovers the capabilities of the Phonic Ear. She can hear through walls with her new technology. She compares herself to Batman, a superhero who uses technology to defend Gotham City. This is Cece’s first experience with seeing her difference as something positive and unique. Her powers are beyond the capabilities of a “normal” person. Despite this, she still feels some loneliness: “Superheroes might be awesome, but they are also different. And being different feels a lot like being alone” (46). Though Cece’s development of a superhero character helps her embrace her differences, she still feels the acute loneliness of being unlike other children.
As El Deafo develops as a character and merges more and more with Cece’s life, she gains power and agency. Cece finds ways to embrace her difference and advocate for herself as she comes of age. The more she embraces El Deafo, the more she stays true to herself. In one chapter, she beats a record on the Presidential Fitness test as a result of El Deafo’s confidence and strength. As the novel progresses, Cece and her superhero alter ego merge into one character, as she gains agency in her “real” life.
Cece’s final moment of empowerment comes when she shares her superpowers with her classmates. El Deafo reminds Cece that she can connect with others and share her knowledge: “I might be the one with the superpowers but guess what? You don’t need superpowers to speak!” (200). Cece learns how to speak up, be true to herself, and embrace the powers that come from her assistive technology.
True Friendship and Acceptance
One of Cece’s central missions in the book—beyond her coming-of-age story of empowerment and self-acceptance—is a quest for a “True Friend” (130). Cece struggles to find friends who accept her difference instead of alienating her.
In her first classroom, Cece finds solace in the shared experiences of other deaf children. Though she doesn’t make any lasting friendships in this classroom, she finds acceptance: “Most of the time we are lost, drifting along on our own planets. But we are together in the same universe, at least” (33). Unlike other children, who seem like they are in a different “universe,” Cece feels she shares an experience with other deaf children, who see the world like her.
After cycling through friends who are cruel, bossy, or who treat her like a charity case because of her disability, Cece finally finds Martha, her sidekick. Martha is a “True Friend” (130) because she does not judge Cece or treat her differently because of her disability. She accommodates Cece’s needs, like talking with the lights on at night, without making her feel strange or like a burden. Martha likes Cece for her whole self, and the novel ends with Cece acknowledging the power of that friendship. Because of Martha’s love and friendship, Cece can reveal her whole self, even the parts she always kept secret.
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