The Language of Silence: An Exploration of Beverley Brenna’s The Moon Children

Abstract

Disability in literature sheds light on the struggles and muted suffering of disabled individuals as they strive to find their place in society. Through literature, readers are able to gain a new perspective on the experiences of disabled individuals. Because the disabled community is a minority community, their pain and cry for help often go unheard, making them doubly marginalized. Many writers are now bringing attention to the silent suffering of disabled individuals in their works, providing a clear picture of their struggles. One such writer is Beverley Brenna, a writer and special educator, who possesses a unique insight into the emotional challenges faced by disabled individuals in an able-bodied society. Her works often focus on invisible disabilities and feature resilient protagonists. One of her notable works is The Moon Children, which tells the story of a young girl named Natasha who loses her voice after experiencing trauma at a young age. This paper explores how the silence of disabled individuals is used as a means to reach out to the able-bodied society and highlights the oppression they face when their voices are not heard.