The connection between "Speech Sounds" and sexism
I think "Speech Sounds" has a connection to the modern problem of sexism: more specifically, on the idea that males are above females. "Speech Sounds" presents the idea of a world where the main character who is a woman, can speak, but the men around her cannot. This being enabled by a disease spreading around the world. This goes against the modern idea that male voices are drowning out female voices, creating a world led by men and where men have more advantage than women. While characteristics of the two genders are not left out, such as the male role of the aggressor and the female role of reliance on men for protection, the author subverts their roles of how they contribute to the world. In Speech Sounds, while Obsidian can read and Rye cannot, Rye can speak and Obsidian cannot, so Rye's voice is projected above that of Obsidian. This enables Rye to lead and puts Obsidian at the mercy of Rye's will. I found it interesting to see this in the s...