The Miracle Worker by William Gibson is a drama set in Boston in the late 1800s. The Kellers have a daughter who becomes blind, deaf, and mute as a result of an illness. They hire Annie Sullivan to teach Helen Keller. The Miracle Worker drama is replete with many changes Helen, Kate, and James transform as a result of Annie’s teaching.
Change is a big thing for Kate, Helen’s mother. At breakfast Helen was sticking her hands into everyone’s plate, and then Annie became angry and told everyone to leave except Helen. After the fight, Annie tells Kate remarkable news. Kate remarks excitedly, “My Helen folded her napkin” (P.59). Then, Kate cries tears of joy; someone may wonder why this is important? It was big for Kate because it shows that Helen…show more content… Initially, Annie tries to teach her, but does not succeed. Annie tells Kate, “Obedience isn’t enough. Well, she learned two nouns this morning, key and water, brings her up to eighteen nouns and three verbs. Kate [Hesitant]: But -not- Annie: No. Not that they mean things. It’s still a finger- game, no meaning” (P.88). Helen must know not only the words themselves but also the meaning. Helen can learn if she lets Annie teach it to her by feeling the object and then Annie spells it in her hand. Finally, Helen talks for the first time she says “Wah Wah (Helen plunges her hand into the dwindling water, spells into her own palm) (P.108). Helen has finally learned how to communicate. With Annie’s patience and teaching techniques, Helen progresses tremendously. The Miracle Worker has changes no family like the Kellers would have. Back then they had pumps which have more refreshing water now people have bottled water. If Helen would be here nowadays she would not learn how to communicate because she only learned how to communicate because of the pump. Nowadays people do not care about manners they would not spend hours teaching a girl to learn to eat properly and fold a napkin this shows Annie loves
