The Miracle Worker

“She tryin’ talk. She gonna get mad. Look at her tryin’ talk.”

This is the first time we see Helen put her fingers in another character’s mouth to understand how people talk. In this case, she is trying to understand Percy, the boy with whom she is playing and who says the lines above. Helen also puts her fingers to her own mouth in an attempt to replicate Percy’s movements. She often grows frustrated with her inability to speak, but her resilience proves that she shouldn’t be underestimated. Helen and Annie have the same goal in the play, even if Helen doesn’t initially understand this.

“This child has more sense than all these men Kellers, if there’s ever any way to reach that mind of hers.”

Aunt Ev remarks on Helen’s intelligence at the beginning of the play. This introduces the idea that Helen’s mind is like a locked treasure chest that, if opened, will reveal incredible potential.

“How can you discipline an afflicted child? Is it her fault?”

The Keller’s reluctance to discipline Helen proves to be the very thing that prevents her from living a more fulfilling life. This struggle between their love and pity, and Annie’s “tough love,” drives the play.