Chapter 6, Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 6: In December 1952, Lou Ann Walker (the author) is born. Everyone is relived that she is a "normal" baby and not deaf. They name her "Lou Ann" because those are easy syllables for the deaf parents to vocalize. They buy a "baby cry box" for Lou Ann, which converts a baby's cries into a sort of light show on a box so deaf parents know when a baby is crying.

Gale and Doris Jean want to ensure that Lou Ann (and her siblings) grow up speaking perfectly, and one resource for this plan is buying a TV. Lou Ann learns much spoken language from television.

Though Gale and Doris Jean pride themselves on being capable people and are reluctant to ask for help, it comes about naturally that Lou Ann begins to help her parents with things difficult for...