Handicapped
Think about the word handicapped. What does it mean to you? What kind of connotation does the word possess? Positive, neutral, or negative? How does it relate to this story? Let's talk about this word and try to come to a consensus on its meaning. Post your comments below.
I would say that the word has a neutral effect. I say this because nobody usually perceives the word as positive, or a gift. But that doesn't mean it has to be negative. For example, you're born with no arms - your legs become stronger. You can't talk - you become a better listener. No one is excited about being handicapped, but they are and they might as well make the best of it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, on my goodreads account, The Tale of Deasperaux came up as number four on my recommendations list. :)
DeleteWhen I think of handicapped, I don't think of it as a positive thing. I think it is neutral. It's neutral because there are many people who are handicapped and I think they're OK with it. It's just how they were made. Louis is handicapped because he was not able to speak. That was just how he was made.
ReplyDeleteCharlie, I like your neutral position on this subject. You've defended your thoughts clearly. However, if you had to define the word, what would your definition look like? Your definition - Not a dictionary's or the result of a Google search. :)
DeleteAndy, What do you think "handicapped" means? At what point, Andy, do you think a person accepts their disability, such as the one Louis is living with? Is it early in their life, or does it take many years?
DeleteHandicapped means that they have disabilities. They cannot do what other people can. I think it takes them some years. They aren't used to it for a couple years. At the beginning, they'll want to be like the other people. They get used to it because they realize that's just the way they are and it's OK.
DeleteTo me handicapped is a negitive word. It relates to this story because louis cant talk so he has a discapibilitie so he is handicapped. If I were handicapped it might take me a while to get used to it.
ReplyDeleteHello, Ella! That's a fair answer. I appreciate your honesty. A disability such as Louis' would take some getting used to. Do you think Louis is troubled by his handicap, or does he appear to have a negative attitude about it?
ReplyDeleteI think louis is getting used to not talking but is sort of troubled by it. louis does not have a negitive attitude but is desperate to be herd and payed attention to by the other swans.
DeleteI think the word handicapped is neutral because it could have posative or negative outcomes. Sometimes when someone is handicapped it could lead them to doing great things for the world. It could also be negative because if you were handicapped you wouldn't be able to do things that other people could do.I think handicapped is a neutral word.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Luis himself is a great example. But since there are no talking swans in the first place, or if your not ratified, until the age of three, Albert Einstein couldn't talk and had dyslexia. And now what do youu think of his achievements?
DeleteTo me handicapped means a living thing has a disability. Some people feel it is a gift, but others think of it as a horrible disability. If I had a handicap I might look at it in ether way.
ReplyDeleteThat is how I feel as well. I think of handicapped as a disability to someone.
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ReplyDeleteEmily, please state exactly what it is that you're agreeing with.
DeleteI guess it depends on what the disability is. OK, Maria. Let's look at this from Louis' point of view. What greatness can be discovered when a person (or trumpeter swan) has no voice? Anyone else is free to chime in with their thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped means someone with a disability , or someone who cannot do something. Louis is handicapped because he can not make any soung or speak.
ReplyDeleteTo me handicapped means that someone or something has a disability, whether its not being able to walk or not being able to see. After a year or a couple of months that living creature should except their disability.
ReplyDeleteI think that Louis just needs some time to get used to talking. And I don't think that being handicapped is bad it is just different.
ReplyDeleteSam, Louis doesn't have the ability to talk. He never will. So, I wonder... How will he communicate?
DeleteThink about Lee from the "Orphan Train" or Michaela from the biography we read together. While they weren't physically disabled, they were technically "handicapped" by their situations. Can you explain the connection?
ReplyDeleteTo me handicapped means you have something that is a disability like you might not be able to walk but I still dont think it is that much of a negative thing
ReplyDeleteJt I agree with you thats what i was gonna say but you said it good job, but yes i think handicapped means you dont have something or something inst working right
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DeleteJt, I completely agree with you that handicapped isn't a negative word.
DeleteI think that handiecapped means to be unable to do one thing or another. It does not have to be negitive though. For example, if you are blind, you can hear, feel, smell and taste better. Like the cob said, louis will be able to listen better then all the other cygets. Possibly, because he is speechless that is why flying came so easy to him.
ReplyDeleteI think louis is
ReplyDeleteHandicapped to me means you have a disability. It mostly possesses a neutral feeling. I think the meaning is that you have a less advantage over other people.
ReplyDeleteI believe society views the word handicap as having a negative connotation... Overcoming weaknesses is truly what is important in life. We all have weaknesses or things that handicap us in some way. Focusing on our strengths is so key in being successful in life:) We should always seek to find the best in others and help people see the best in themselves:)
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped means that you have a disability. For example, I have a friend and she is not able to walk well and that would be considered being handicapped
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped means that someone has a disability which means that someone has a problem with their body or someones abilities aren't as good as others.
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped is a negative feeling. Handicapped is like when you are not able to walk far.
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped means that something in your body is disabled or not working right and how it affects how you live.
ReplyDeleteI think handicapped means to not be able to do something.Emily's example was great!Great job Emily!
ReplyDeleteHandicapped means to have a mental or fiscal problem with you that makes it hard to do every day things. If you have no arms you have to use your feet instead.
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