Sarah Norman in Children of a Lesser God

E475555

Sarah Norman is the fiercely independent, deaf female lead in the play and film "Children of a Lesser God," whose complex relationship with a hearing speech teacher explores themes of communication, identity, and autonomy.

All labels observed (2)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (30)

Predicate Object
instanceOf deaf character
fictional character
appearsIn Children of a Lesser God
Children of a Lesser God (film)
Children of a Lesser God (play)
associatedWith deaf community
centralThemeRelation autonomy
communication
identity
characterTrait emotionally complex
fiercely independent
intelligent
strong-willed
communicationMode sign language
conflictType resistance to oralist approaches to deaf education
struggle for autonomy in a hearing-dominated world
createdBy Mark Medoff
firstAppearance Children of a Lesser God (1980 stage play)
gender female
hasDisability deafness
languageUsedInStory American Sign Language
narrativeRole protagonist
notableAspect refuses to speak aloud despite pressure from hearing characters
occupation former student at a school for the deaf
portrayedBy Marlee Matlin (1986 film adaptation)
linked to: Marlee Matlin

Phyllis Frelich (original Broadway production)
romanticRelationshipWith James Leeds
settingContext residential school for the deaf
symbolizes deaf pride
resistance to assimilation into hearing culture

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Marlee Matlin characterPortrayed Sarah Norman in Children of a Lesser God
Piper Laurie role Mrs. Norman in Children of a Lesser God
linked to: Sarah Norman in Children of a Lesser God