William Gibson's The Miracle Worker

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Every person has traits that make up who they are. In William Gibson’s play, “The Miracle Worker” Annie strives to teach Helen, a blind, mute and deaf girl, things have names, but Helen makes it difficult because of her lack of self-control. Annie overcomes many obstacles and perseveres in attempt to be Helen’s miracle worker. If Annie does not have the traits of perseverance, stubbornness, and refusal to pity Helen, she will not be able to teach Helen effectively and mold her into a somewhat normal child. Annie exhibits the trait of perseverance throughout her struggles with Helen. One example is when Annie is teaching Helen how to spell when, “She never finishes, because Helen swings the doll with a furious energy, it hits Annie squarely …show more content…
Annie’s stubbornness helps her because she does not give in to the Keller’s request of pity on Helen. “Helen is working around the table, ultimately toward Annie’s plate...Annie who has been waiting, deliberately lifts and removes her hand. Helen gropes again, Annie firmly pins her by the wrist, and removes her hand from the table. Helen thrusts her hands again, Annie catches them, and Helen begins to flail and make noises...” (47). Helen is always used to getting her own way because of the Kellers’ pity on her. Annie does not pity her and treats her like a normal child because she overlooks Helen’s disabilities. Both Helen and Annie are very stubborn because they are persistent in getting their own way, but Annie refuses to let her because she loves Helen. Helen even begins to throw a tantrum, but Annie stands her ground and treats her with the respect she deserves. Annie is stubborn because she will not let anyone interfere with her teaching Helen. Keller states, “My dear child, the two weeks are up today, surely you don’t object to-” Annie responds, “They’re not up till six o’clock” (90). Annie is stubborn in all parts when teaching Helen. She will not let anyone like Keller interfere with her effectiveness in instructing Helen. Annie’s stubbornness is a key characteristic to have when teaching her because it helps Helen retain what Annie is teaching her. It gives them more time to build a relationship so …show more content…
The Keller family has trained Helen without discipline which has led to turmoil in the house. A discussion about Helen arises and Keller says, “Miss Sullivan! You would have more understanding of your pupil if you had some pity in you” (49). Keller expects Annie to pity Helen because that is what their household has done. Pity is not the right action to help Helen because she needs to learn. Discipline would help Helen overcome her disabilities and understand the world of language more than pity would. Keller thinks that if Annie pitied Helen she would relate to her more, but Annie thinks otherwise. If Annie listens to Keller, she Helen still will not learn anything. Annie responds to Keller and says, “Pity? For this tyrant? The whole house turns on her whims, is there anything she wants she doesn’t get? I’ll tell you what I pity, that the sun won’t rise and set for her all her life, and every day you’re telling her it will, what good will your pity do her when you’re under the strawberries, Captain Keller?” (49). Annie does not pity Helen because she loves her. The Kellers fail to train Helen because they pity her because of her disabilities. Annie shows her love for Helen by disciplining her. If Annie does not discipline Helen, then she will not learn and she will still be the same person without any standards. Helen does not know what she is doing is not normal, so when she is disciplined she
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