Blog Post 3 "The Power of Words" Revised

Photo From The_Miracle_Worker, google images

The play "The Miracle Worker" is about a young girl named Helen Keller who is left blind and deaf after a childhood illness. Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Keller brought her to countless doctors hoping to get answers on how to help Helen, however despite their effort they were left hopeless. The hiring of Annie Sullivan was their last hope in trying to teach Helen before putting her in an institution. Annie Sullivan, a young teacher, and a recent graduate from Perkins Institute for the Blind, was also blind like Helen. Upon her arrival to the Keller home, Captain Keller was skeptical that she would be of any help to Helen, and that it would be a miracle if she could. While the Keller’s didn't agree with all of Annie methods in teaching Helen, as they saw it as cruel and unnecessary, they were surprised by the progress Annie made with Helen. Through perseverance, persistence and hard work Annie was able to not only teach Helen words and language, but a whole new world. The performance of the Miracle Worker was really good, the actors did an outstanding job playing and getting into the role of their character. The play really depicted how hard it was to teach Helen after she had been pitied by her parents for so many years along with the emotional toll took on everyone involved. The play its’ self is very eye opening and made me think deeper about what it was like to raise Helen or even be her. It evoked many emotions from sadness, to frustration to hopelessness and eventually happiness at the end. I think one of the many reasons I enjoyed the play so much, is because I am around people with disabilities so much. I have family members who are disabled, so I am aware of how hard it is to work with them, but also how rewarding it is. Part of me felt disappointed in Mr. and Mrs. Keller for pitying Helen, it was like they didn't want her to be upset because she was already disabled and that was enough for her. It was hard for me to watch her parents keep running back to Helen when she had tantrum, instead of just allowing Annie to teach her. The play was really eye opening in that sense, because it really proved that everyone needs to be pushed, and coddling someone isn't going to help them get anywhere in life.