The Miracle Worker: Synopsis, Ideas, and Writing Connections

Synopsis

The play The Miracle Worker opens with a doctor assuring Captain Keller and his wife, Kate, that their infant daughter, Helen, will recover from a serious fever. Soon after the doctor leaves, however, Kate realizes that Helen is deaf and blind. In the next scene, Helen is about six years old. She is a wild, undisciplined child. Though they try, her parents are unable to help or control her. In desperation they hire a young woman, Annie Sullivan.

From the moment Annie arrives, it is clear that she and Helen will be gripped in a great struggle. But Helen is not the only problem for Annie. Annie must also convince the Kellers, especially the Captain, that she, Annie, needs complete control of Helen if she is to reach the child. Annie is certain that language is the key to gaining access to Helen's mind, and she constantly spells the names of things on Helen's palm.

Although Helen can spell them back on Annie's palm, the understanding that the words represent things eludes her. After spending two weeks together in the garden house, Helen finally obeys Annie, but when the time is up and they return to the family, Helen quickly reverts to her former behavior. The Kellers are indulgent, ready to fall back in their old pattern of behavior, but Annie doesn't let them. When Helen spills a water pitcher on Annie, Annie takes her out to refill it. She spells "water" into Helen's hand, and suddenly the miracle happens. Helen understands.

Ideas and Concepts to Highlight

1. Explain the format of a play. Most plays are built around four important parts:
   • Opening – reveals the problem.
   • Plan – the characters try to solve the problem and reach a goal.
   • Obstacles and Complications – events and situations that block the characters from solving the problem.
   • Climax – die characters solve (or fail to solve) the problem and reach (or fail to reach) their goal.
   
   
2. Note Helen's behavior before Annie's arrival. Discuss why Helen was allowed to act in so undisciplined a manner.
   
   
3. Emphasize the clashing of personalities throughout the play – Helen and Annie, the Captain and Annie, James and the Captain.
   
   
4. Discuss the disabilities of blindness and deafness.

Writing Connection: "The Challenge"

Helen Keller was faced with a great challenge – the struggle to manage in life despite the enormous handicaps of deafness and blindness. Everyone, however, has challenges.

For this assignment, instruct your students to consider a challenge they face and write about it. The challenge they might face is how to obtain good enough grades so that they can go onto a good college; how to excel at a sport, dance, or similar activity; how to get along with a brother, sister, or other family member; or how to cope with a personal disability. Completing The Challenge worksheet will help students get started.

Excerpted from English Teacher's Great Books Activities Kit.

English Teacher's Great Books Activities Kit
by Gary Robert Muschla

More than 180 reproducible student activities for teaching reading and writing skills, based on great literature that covers various genres, themes, and cultures.