Kate Keller Quotes From The Miracle Worker

After reading act II of “The Miracle Worker,” I realize that I sympathize most with Kate Keller, Helen’s mother. While I have never been in a situation like that, I can very clearly imagine what Kate must be going through. She sees the child as helpless; she thinks there is very little hope for her. In the back of her mind, however, that by bribing her with sweets and giving her what she wants, she is only spoiling her and making matters worse in the long run. Unfortunately, she doesn’t want to say so, and Annie Sullivan knows why. In the middle of the second act, Annie states: “It does you good, that’s all. It’s less trouble to feel sorry for her than to teach her anything better, isn’t it?” Later, Kate herself admits that she has shared Annie’s
mentality for a long time. She reveals this in her conversation with James: “I thought what she said was exceptionally intelligent. I’ve been saying it for years.” If I found myself in Kate’s position, I would most likely behave and think the same way. I also sympathize with Aunt Ev. If I found myself in her position, I would see the child not as hopeless, but simply having a disadvantage. I would pressure Captain Keller to get the child to a specialist, and would reach out and look for teachers for Helen. Even if the ideas were ludicrous, I would propose them for the sake of having them open for discussion.