In paragraphs 108-112 of "The Neglected Senses," Mahoney describes how she misinterprets two noises she hears and is corrected by Yangchen and then by Choden.
1. The author thinks she hears a "thud" which she believes is the sound of her cat jumping off the bed. However, Yangchen corrects her, explaining that the noise is actually the sound of Mahoney's heart beating, made audible by the stethoscope.
2. The author also confuses the noise of a "scratching" sound as her cat sharpening its claws. Choden corrects her by revealing that the noise is actually the sound of Mahoney writing with a pencil.
The author's description of her mistakes provides insight into her experience by highlighting the theme of perception and misinterpretation. Through these instances, the reader can see how our preconceived notions and biases can influence how we perceive the world around us. The author's openness about her initial misinterpretations allows the reader to reflect on how our assumptions can lead us astray and emphasizes the importance of staying open-minded and questioning our interpretations.
