Miracle Worker Helen Keller Quotes

Imagine a scenario where someone excuses themselves and others every time they do something wrong; imagine a parent who feels sorry for their children and fails to teach them right from wrong. In The Miracle Worker, a play by William Gibson, readers are given insight into the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan during the 1880s. During the play's exposition, Helen's parents, Kate and Captain Keller, repeatedly excuse Helen's intolerable behavior due to her handicaps. This fosters a belief in Helen that she can do whatever she wants without repercussions because of her parents' pity. What Captain Keller and Kate thought was love was actually spoiling Helen; until Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher and governess, arrives at the Keller

For instance, when Helen needed eyes for her doll, she forcefully took the buttons off Aunt Ev's dress, exposing her in front of the family. Despite the behavior being unacceptable, Helen received no punishment and Kate defends her elucidating, “{Helen} doesn’t know better, Aunt Ev. I’ll sew them on again” (Gibson 498). James, Helen's half-brother, pointed out the lack of discipline, but Captain Keller dismissed his concerns and continued to indulge Helen's wishes. Captain Keller shut him up by saying, “Whatever it was. Deprived child, the least she can have are the little things she wants” (498). This constant display of pity towards Helen stems from her disabilities, but it also leads to future issues. Following this, Helen knocks her baby sister out of her crib to make space for her doll, which made Captain Keller suggest disciplining her. However, Kate rebuts, saying, “How can you discipline an afflicted child? Is it her fault?” (499). This attitude of excusing her actions due to her disabilities is detrimental to Helen's growth and development, as she is not held accountable for her actions. Although it is essential for her family to recognize Helen’s disabilities, it is equally important to hold her accountable for her actions and provide her with proper guidance to overcome her limitations. Overall, the Keller family's continuous display of pity

of The Miracle Worker. In Scene I, Annie Sulivan arrives and rapidly observes Helen’s brat-like behavior. When the family sits at the dining table for breakfast, Helen walks around the dining table groping fistfulls of food off of the family's plates. When Helen gets to Annie’s plate, Annie restrains her from touching it causing Helen to throw a tantrum. The Keller family was not fond of Annie’s reluctance to give into Helen’s spoilt tactics. Kate speaks up, saying “You see, she's accustomed to helping herself from our plates to anything she—” (516). Annie cuts her off. She refutes, “Yes, but I'm not accustomed to it” (516). As Helen’s tantrum escalates so do the issues that follow. Keller starts to lose his cool and tells Annie, “Miss Sullivan! You would have more understanding of your pupil if you had some pity in you!” (517). Annie answers inflamed, “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” (518). From this altercation in the dining scene, one can see how the treatment the Keller family shows Helen is not doing her any good or teaching her a single thing. Captain Keller says it himself that Annie should show pity to Helen which she opposes. In conclusion, throughout Act II of The Miracle Worker by William Gibson, the Keller family