El Deafo

The bathing suit is indicative of Cece’s personality, particularly as a young girl. She wears this exclusively as a child, and it defines her unique style and the confidence that she has before she loses her hearing. The bathing suit is a symbol of Cece’s confidence; it reflects her inner self.

The bathing suit is pink with polka dots and speaks to Cece’s enthusiasm and passion as a person. However, Cece loses that part of herself as a little girl, when she loses her hearing. She must wear different clothes to cover her hearing aids, and this change in attire speaks to the change that she feels she must undergo emotionally to fit in with her peers. Rather than embracing her unique self, Cece begins to feel shame for the first time. The loss of her bathing suit is symbolic of her loss of self-confidence, as she struggles to fit in. 

The Phonic Ear is a complicated symbol in the story, and Cece’s relationship to it changes over the course of the book. The Phonic Ear becomes a symbol of Cece’s disability and her feelings about her disability.

As the story begins, Cece is ashamed by the Phonic Ear.