In the acclaimed anime movie, "A Silent Voice," the lead character, Shouya Ishida, experiences a tumultuous and bumpy ride. Born with normal hearing abilities, Shouya later found himself facing an unexpected hardship - deafness. This, however, is not part of the original storyline, and it is fascinating to explore the potential of Shouya going deaf, delving into the various aspects of his life that will be affected.
Understanding Deafness
Deafness, as a condition, is the loss of hearing ability. It can happen to anyone, at any age, due to various reasons such as genetics, aging, or exposure to loud noise. In our alternate story, let's assume that Shouya loses his hearing through an accident which damages his inner ear.
Experiencing a loss of this fundamental sense would indeed be disheartening for Shouya. Trying to adapt to this sudden change would bring migraines and moments of confusion, frustration, and even epic bouts of loneliness. We see a different side of Shouya - one that is helpless, scared, and more empathetic towards Shouko, all the while battling his inner demons.
Shouya's Interactions with Others
Shouya's interactions with others would undoubtedly change. His friendships would be strained as the communication barrier kicks in. Conversations that were once held with ease would now have to be supplemented with sign language or written text. Shouya might even feel left out during group hangouts.
Moreover, Shouya's bullying would lose their ‘voice� They would have to learn to communicate with him in new ways or risk losing a friend. This could potentially build stronger and more meaningful friendships as they work through these challenges together.
Shouya’s School Life
Shouya’s school life would take a drastic hit. As a student who loses his hearing, Shouya would have to deal with the educational complications that come with being deaf. His learning process would now depend on visual aids and lip-reading, which can be limiting and challenging.
He might also face isolation and prejudice from his peers. This, coupled with his cognitive changes, could lead to setbacks in his educational progress. However, as we have seen, Shouya is resilient, and he would strive to overcome these difficulties, further highlighting his strength of character.
Shouya’s Relationship with Shouko
The most prominent change would be in Shouya’s relationship with Shouko Nishimiya, the deaf girl he once bullied. Now, finding himself in a similar situation, Shouya would understand and empathize with Shouko on a much deeper level.
Shouko would become his beacon of hope, his guide navigating through the silent world. She would teach him sign language, and the bond they share would strengthen. Their shared experiences and obstacles would bring them closer, laying the foundation for a profound and resilient love story.
Shouya’s Self-Reflection
Becoming deaf would be a wake-up call for Shouya about the severity of his previous actions. His previous insensitive jokes about Shouko’s hearing would come back to haunt him. He would realize the cruelty and pain that Shouko endured because of his actions, leading to a profound understanding, guilt, remorse, and ultimately forgiveness.
Conclusion
This spin on Shouya's journey introduces an unexplored dimension to "A Silent Voice." It brings the audience closer to Shouya's character while presenting an important perspective on disability. Nevertheless, Shouya's deafness, while a tragic event, is not an end but a new beginning of an enriching journey into understanding, empathy, and resilience.
FAQs
1. Is Shouya Ishida really deaf in ‘A Silent Voice� No, in the original story, Shouya is not deaf. However, this fanfiction explores the possibility and implications if he were.
2. Would Shouya becoming deaf change the storyline significantly? Yes, given the fundamental role that hearing plays in communication and inter-personal relationships, a hearing loss would introduce significant changes to Shouya's experiences.
3. Could Shouya’s experience with deafness mimic real life? While fiction offers much dramatic effect, the portrayal of Shouya's deaf experience is designed to mirror real-life challenges faced by individuals with a sudden hearing loss.
References
[1] "Deafness and Hearing Loss," World Health Organization.
[2] "A Silent Voice," written by Yoshitoki ÅŒima and published by Kodansha.
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