Edgar Sawtelle Sign Language Analysis

Humans have an inherent desire to understand the world and the humans around them. Though some attempt to unveil one’s thoughts through alternative means, a single method consistently prevails: sharing thoughts and emotions. Expression and communication are the foundations of a stable relationship; without them, misinterpretation occurs. In The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, Edgar Sawtelle cannot speak, so he uses sign language to communicate. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet can talk, but only to a certain extent, as he must bury his inner dialogue. Edgar and Hamlet attempt to connect with their respective uncles, Claude and Claudius, but barriers restrict these interactions, resulting in confusion and anger. These arousing

In other words, there is a human restraint to avoid open conversation. In The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, it is evident that Edgar attempts to converse with his uncle, yet he does not know sign language, hindering his ability to receive Edgar’s messages. Edgar tries to teach Claude basic signs at the beginning of the novel, but Claude fails to retain them or make an additional effort to translate Edgar’s words. This showcases Claude’s dismissal of Edgar; if he desires to consider Edgar’s opinions and listen to his emotions, Claude would be an understanding and sympathetic father figure. Edgar dismisses sign language and attempts to communicate with Claude through alternative means. By climbing an apple tree that oversees his mother and uncle, Edgar physically demonstrates his desire to know what Claude is scheming. Claude admits that the boy could “read [his] mind, can hear these thoughts” and it prompts him to “wonder what else he has seen, what else he might know” (Wroblewski 250). Without saying a word, Edgar desires Claude to understand him clearly. On the other hand, Hamlet pretends to go mad to cover up his true intentions of murdering Claudius. Claudius is aware of Hamlet’s disapproval of him and Gertrude, and Hamlet questions his mother marrying Claudius “with such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (1.2.160) Hamlet delivers unhinged

As a teenager, he cannot cope with the trauma of losing his father, and these conflicting emotions interfere with his psychological well-being. Edgar’s inner thoughts start to darken, and he overthinks every action of Claude, questioning its deceptive motive. This interference prompts hesitation and the inability to carry out his task: to kill Claude. Claude even notes that Edgar is “better off run away” and that “he’s too wild” to have around (Wroblewski 435). The issue is that Edgar can communicate these emotions with neither his mother, for she would worsen his conflicting feelings, nor Claude, for he would not understand them. Bottling up his emotions halts his ability to move past exacting revenge. Hamlet faces a comparable difficulty while attempting to communicate his feelings; when he discovers he must avenge his father’s death, he cannot act. This hesitation frustrates Hamlet, but Hamlet does not release these worries by revealing them to Claudius or his mother. When handed the ideal chance to kill Claudius, Hamlet questions the circumstances and concludes he must kill the King when he is “about some act that has no relish of salvation in’t then trip him, . . . and that his soul may be as damn’d and black as hell.” (3.4.93-97) While Hamlet is distracted, Claudius schemes in the distance and neither one establishes a relationship with the other. Moreover, Hamlet’s obsession