What roles do the written word, the spoken word, and words that are neither written nor spoken play in how the characters know one another and how we know them?

What roles do the written word, the spoken word, and words that are neither written nor spoken play in how the characters know one another and how we know them?

How are various kinds of literacy—whether it's reading letters on a page, reading gestures on a stage, reading plants in a garden, or reading souls in bodies—valued or not valued in the society of the novel?

Do you think those values are similar or different from those of our current society?

Characters in a book just like people in real life have to learn how to read cues--verbal and non-verbal! A gesture can belie what the mouth is saying!

I think this question asks how well do people communicate with the different channels available to us, whether it be during the novel's time or currently. I think today we're losing the connection to others as the technology available has really done a negative number on good behavior and being held accountable for actions. However, letter writing never goes out of style and I'm always so thrilled when I receive the handwritten note or letter, and equally proud when I can put my true feelings into the written word.

Up front I’m going to say I think the author did a spectacular job in writing these characters and making them come to life for the readers. I can only imagine how long a novel could be if all the “nuances of communication” were written in a novel. With a few words, the author has conveyed emotions and connections in her characters. I don’t believe in either the novels society or in our present one, that the value of communication in any form has changed much with the exception of our modern society's technology getting things done faster. What we have In todays communication era is the opportunity to disseminate thoughts and opinions faster…whether they be truthful or not. That “send button” has gotten many of us into trouble. So I think in today’s world..miscommunication is more prevalent than years ago. Taking into consideration what was available then versus now present day communication lacks tremendously.

I don’t think that Agnes’ ability to “read” plants was particularly valued at that time, but rather her ability caused suspicion. And I don’t think that Agnes particularly valued her husband’s ability to write for the stage; maybe after Hamnet’s death, she understood and appreciated his talent more. And Agnes’ stepmother only seemed to value the “language” of everyday hard work, and she certainly didn’t appreciate Agnes’ ways with the natural world. So yes, many different ways to communicate but still a lot of misunderstanding and lack of appreciation of individual abilities.