How did Miss Sullivan overcome the challenge of Teaching Helen?
The play “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson emphasizes that faith and determination lead one to the realization of the goal as exemplified by Anne Sullivan when she took the responsibility of teaching the deaf-blind Helen. Annie’s credibility to teach Helen met skepticisms. However, she went on with the commitment and bore the risks of educating the “wild” Helen. Hence, Helen embraced her instructions as Capt. Keller, Kate and James ascertained the fact that Helen was teachable, a realization which altogether changed them and their views of life.
Capt. Keller was protective of Helen. Thus, he ordered Annie’s dismissal from the service when he perceived difficulty on his child’s part as the teaching process was going on. He told his wife “I’ve a mind to ship her back to Boston, and you can inform her so for me.” Yet, this did not happen for his child’s transformation made him accept Annie and he amazingly looked on as the world of learning unfolded before Helen.
Kate could not bear the pain of seeing Helen suffer from Annie’s unteaching her what she learned early in life while the child is being taught of what she missed to learn in life. Kate interfered whenever Annie caused Helen tantrum as the latter was disciplined. But when the teacher said “Take her out of my hand and it all comes apart,” she understood and bore the pain. Her sacrifices came to fruition as she saw her child gladly felt water in her hand while exerting an effort to name it.
James, on the other hand, is a mean half brother who despised Helen. His remark “…half sister, and half mentally defective…It’s not pleasant to see her about all the time,” proved this. He taunted Annie as he realized that she would be teaching Helen. Later, James was observed to be appalled by the teacher’s great determination and Helen’s display of discipline as the family gathered for dinner.
As a whole, the play reflects not only Helen’s struggles and triumphs in learning life’s meaning but also of her family member’s awakening to things that matter most in life, which is having faith and determination to succeed.
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