Helen Keller In William Gibson's 'The Miracle Worker'
In The Miracle Worker, written by William Gibson, Helen Keller suffers from a horrible fever resulting in her becoming blind and deaf. Having difficulties growing up in Tuscumbia, Alabama in the 1880’s, she was isolated, untamable, and disruptive. With no clue how to get through to Helen; her parents enlist the help of Annie Sullivan. After countless efforts, Annie’s determination and empathy, as well as, Mrs. Keller support provide her with the tools to be successful in teaching in Helen.
With Annie Sullivan’s determination, she is able to see the potential Helen has to learn language and how great she will be. Miss Sullivan understands what it will take to make sure Helen gets the education she deserves. Sullivan grew up in a similar situation as Helen, she, too suffered from eye problems and in turn became blind. Knowing the importance of education from a young age, she excelled at Perkins learning all the skills she needed to teach Helen. Her education was very valuable to her and being able to pass on her knowledge and teach someone labeled “un-teachable” would be an accomplishment. She knew if Helen were able to just understand the basics, her curiosity would take …show more content…
over. “Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye,” (206). Sullivan knows that Helen can be so much more than obedient or cooperative. She recognized, that Helen’s obstacle is not deafness and blindness, but confusion and fear of the world around her.
Correspondingly, Annie’s empathy aided her tremendously in succeeding with Annie.
She was able to understand what it was like for Helen because she too grew up blind. Having very similar backgrounds I believe Annie’s relentless determination strived from seeing herself in Helen. Due to Annie’s inexperience and youthful appearance, the odds seemed stacked against her, having to constantly reinforce the Keller’s of her ability to teach Helen. As Mr. Keller started become weary due to lack of results. With close and attentive teaching Annie was able to develop a system to teach Helen the difference from wrong and right. When Helen finally connected Annie’s finger spelling the word water and with actual water, she became joyous. She ran to every object touching it, as Annie spelled it into her
hand.
She sees that Helen has yet to be disciplined, all while, living in a house that coddled her, “Mrs. Keller, I don’t think Helen’s worst handicap is deafness or blindness. I think it’s your love. And pity” (291) thought Miss Sullivan felt that Mrs. Keller was a hinder she wouldn’t have been such a success without her. She fought for Sullivan regardless of how her husband felt. Mrs. Keller never disheartened. She knew she couldn’t provide Helen with the knowledge she needs and she couldn’t lose faith, not this time, not with Annie. In more ways than none, Mrs. Keller’s determination enhanced Sullivan’s more.
With Annie Sullivan’s determination, she is able to see the potential Helen has to learn language and how great she will be. Miss Sullivan understands what it will take to make sure Helen gets the education she deserves. Sullivan grew up in a similar situation as Helen, she, too suffered from eye problems and in turn became blind. Knowing the importance of education from a young age, she excelled at Perkins learning all the skills she needed to teach Helen. Her education was very valuable to her and being able to pass on her knowledge and teach someone labeled “un-teachable” would be an accomplishment. She knew if Helen were able to just understand the basics, her curiosity would take …show more content…
over. “Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye,” (206). Sullivan knows that Helen can be so much more than obedient or cooperative. She recognized, that Helen’s obstacle is not deafness and blindness, but confusion and fear of the world around her.
Correspondingly, Annie’s empathy aided her tremendously in succeeding with Annie.
She was able to understand what it was like for Helen because she too grew up blind. Having very similar backgrounds I believe Annie’s relentless determination strived from seeing herself in Helen. Due to Annie’s inexperience and youthful appearance, the odds seemed stacked against her, having to constantly reinforce the Keller’s of her ability to teach Helen. As Mr. Keller started become weary due to lack of results. With close and attentive teaching Annie was able to develop a system to teach Helen the difference from wrong and right. When Helen finally connected Annie’s finger spelling the word water and with actual water, she became joyous. She ran to every object touching it, as Annie spelled it into her
hand.
She sees that Helen has yet to be disciplined, all while, living in a house that coddled her, “Mrs. Keller, I don’t think Helen’s worst handicap is deafness or blindness. I think it’s your love. And pity” (291) thought Miss Sullivan felt that Mrs. Keller was a hinder she wouldn’t have been such a success without her. She fought for Sullivan regardless of how her husband felt. Mrs. Keller never disheartened. She knew she couldn’t provide Helen with the knowledge she needs and she couldn’t lose faith, not this time, not with Annie. In more ways than none, Mrs. Keller’s determination enhanced Sullivan’s more.