Did you know that there are over 45,000 deaf-blind individuals in the U. S. alone? Today, almost all have access to programs that allow them to communicate with others and deal with the outside world. However, this unfortunately was not always the case. When Annie Sullivan began to instruct Helen Keller, only one deaf-blind child in the
U. S. was known to grasp language. Annie Sullivan, though only twenty, turned her stubbornness, youth, and past life experiences into what was then thought to be almost a miracle, as evidenced by the title of William Gibson’s play, The Miracle Worker. Annie Sullivan’s background forged a personality that made her the perfect teacher for Helen Keller. However, in one case, it is Annie’s …show more content…
Advantages. Annie (wry). Well, some have the luck of the Irish, some do not. [KATE smiles; she likes her.] Capion 2 Kate. What will you try to teach her first? Annie. First, last, and-in between-language. Kate. Language. Annie. Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye. Dr. Howe said that. Kate. Language. (She shakes her head.) We can’t get through to her to teach her to sit still. You are young, despite your years, to have such-confidence.” (Gibson)
As the play progresses, Annie shows that her youth and inexperience allow her to confront problems in unconventional ways, instead of trying to instruct Helen by methods that only partially worked. After Mrs. Keller asks whether any child has been taught to any degree of normality, Annie replies that no one has, but continues, “Dr. Howe did wonders, but—an ordinary child? No, never. But then I thought when I was going over his reports—(She indicates the one in her hand.)—he never treated them like ordinary children. More like—eggs everyone was afraid would …show more content…
No matter that it was unpainted, overcrowded, peopled with misshapen, diseased, often manic women; they were together.” (Lash)
Her past personality and the helplessness that she herself had felt as a child allowed Annie rare discretion in dealing with Helen’s tantrums and finding the key to her mind. While Helen’s parents barely understood her, Annie always made sure that Helen received what she truly needed.
Helen Keller’s beloved Teacher became so by utilizing their shared traits and many of her own experiences. As these traits and experiences included being partially blind, throwing tantrums, being stubborn, and youthfulness, it is a wonder that Annie Sullivan should have existed more than that she succeeded with Helen. Her stubbornness and strong will help her persevere in the face of opposition and difficulties. While no one else believed that Helen could be brought to understand language, Annie Sullivan never gave up, and in the end, she triumphed over multiple stereotypes to bring Helen light through