the miracle worker - wikispaces - mrsbillettrchs miracle worker... · ... the author of our play...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Miracle Worker
Name: _______________
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About the Author
Retrieved from: http://themiracleworkersg.wordpress.com/plot
William Gibson, the author of our play The Miracle Worker, was
born on November 13, 1914 in New York City. He had a very mixed
ancestry of Irish, French, German, Dutch and Russian, strange for
the time period. He attended the City College of New York, and
graduated from there in 1938.
He loved to write, and not just plays. He was known for writing poetry, fiction, and scripts for the stage, television and film. This play, The Miracle Worker, was actually a telefilm (play or movie meant to be shown on television) before it was adapted into the play format that we’re all familiar with.
The telefilm was released in 1957. It went over so well with the small audience that saw it that he revised it for the stage. It premiered on Broadway at the Playhouse Theatre on October 19, 1959, and closed on July 1, 1961 after 719 performances. TIME Magazine called the opening production “fairly makeshift, at times clumsy, and, when sound-tracking voices from the past, occasionally embarrassing” yet they loved “the extraordinary performances, the magnificent teamwork of Anne Bancroft and ten-year-old Patty Duke, and the brilliant direction of Arthur Penn.” Despite what TIME Magazine said, The Miracle Worker won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1960. He soon adapted the stage version for film again, yet this time, he went for the big screen. When the movie was released in 1962, it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke both won Academy Awards for their roles in the film as well.
This wasn’t the first play that Gibson wrote, though. His Broadway debut was Two for the Seesaw, and was highly acclaimed. This opened in 1958, and starred Henry Fonda and, who else, Anne Bancroft. Other plays he’s written include A Cry of Players, Golda, The Butterfingers Angel, Dinny and the Witches, Monday After the Miracle (another play about Anne Sullivan and the Keller family), Goodly Creatures and Handy Dandy. He’s also written several books: The Seesaw Log, The Cobweb, A Mass for the Dead (a book about his family), A Season in Heaven and Shakespeare’s Game. He married Margaret Brenman-Gibson, who was a psychoanalyst and the author of the biography Clifford Odets, American Playwright. Mrs. Brenman-Gibson passed away in 2004, and her husband died soon after on November 25, 2008. They left behind two sons, Daniel and Thomas.
Podcast: Playwright Reflects on ‘The Miracle Worker’
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3843114
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Elements of a Play: Take Notes as you view. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=Z2FwcHMuZ2pwcy5vcmd8dnlhc3B8Z3g6NGRhMGQ3OGZmNzcxOTM3Yw
Scenes
Acts
Playwright
Comic Relief
Dialogue
Monologue
Soliloquy
Aside
Stage Directions
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Annie Sullivan Web Search
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=Z2FwcHMuZ2pwcy5vcmd8dnlhc3B8Z3g6NGYyMDBlZjdkMWMwNDg3MA
Name ____________________________________
Annie Sullivan Web Search
Google “Annie Sullivan” and use several credible sources to find the following
1. When and where was Annie Sullivan born?
2. Find information on Annie’s mom, Alice Closely Sullivan.
3. Find information on Annie’s dad, Thomas Sullivan.
4. During her early childhood, what ailment did Annie contract and how did this affect her?
5. What was Annie like as a child?
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6. Who was Jimmie? What was Annie’s relationship like with Jimmie?
7. What is Tewksbury? What role did this place play in Annie’s life?
8. How was Annie able to get out of Tewksbury?
9. Where did Annie go after leaving Tewksbury?
10. What was Annie like during her time at Perkins Institute for the Blind? What were some of her accomplishments?
11. When did Annie begin working with the Kellers?
12. What was Helen able to accomplish thanks to Annie’s work?
13. When did Annie Sullivan die?
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“The act of writing makes everything possible to me. I’ve always found the business of writing has helped me to live.” -William Gibson, 2003
Vocabulary
In this play, there are many words or phrases that may be unfamiliar to you. The point of this page is to make a glossary that will be easy for you to understand. In the left column, you’ll see the page number that the word is found on. The middle column shows the word or phrase itself, and the far right column contains the definition.
Page 7 Emphatic Uttered by using emphasis in your speech or action, forceful and very expressive.
Page 8 Facetiously An expression that should not be taken seriously, more in the term of humor.
Page 8 Henyard An enclosed yard for keeping poultry.
Page 8 “The house is at sixes and sevens”
Term for disarray, a state of confusion.
Page 9 Morosely Gloomy and sullen.
Page 10 Iota A very small amount, this is also the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, but this instance doesn’t refer to that.
Page 12 Obstinate Stubborn, difficult to deal with, tough to manage or subdue.
Page 12 Impudent Offensive boldness, mischievous.
Page 12 Vitality The capacity to live, physical or mental vigor.
Page 12 Granular Having a grainy surface, composed of tiny particles.
Page 12 Trachoma A contagious disease of the eye caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, this can cause gradual blindness.
Page 12 Tewksbury A city in Massachusetts.
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Anne Sullivan was born here.
Page 13 Precocious A mental development that advances quickly in maturity.
Page 14 Woebegone Sorrowful or sad in appearance.
Page 15 Hubbub Loud noise, uproar. It usually refers to a group of people making a lot of noise.
Page 16 Splendiloquent Slang term beginning in the late 1840’s, a mix of the words “splendid” and “eloquent.”
Page 18 Bonnet A hat of cloth or straw, held in place by a ribbon underneath the chin.
Page 19 Pinafore A large sleeveless garment that is made for women to cover their dresses also could be considered an apron.
Page 20 Trifle A small amount.
Page 20 Tea-Cake Generally refers to any cake or bread that can be picked up by the fingers and served with tea. These cakes are served without icing on them. In the United States, they are usually sprinkled with sugar. Some even resemble cookies.
Page 21 Irately Extremely angry, outraged
Page 22 Smoke Glasses Glasses worn to lessen the harshness of the sun, generally worn by someone with an eye condition that leaves the eyes sensitive. There have been no pictures found showing Anne wearing these spectacles.
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Page 22 Governess A female teacher employed by a family to train and teach their children.
Page 23 Desiccated Dried out, preserved.
Page 23 Spinster A single woman thought of as being beyond the age of marriage.
Page 27 Sotto Voce Italian, intentionally lowering one’s voice for emphasis or effect.
Page 29 Voluminous Having great volume or fullness, ample.
Page 29 Drawers Underwear.
Page 33 “Buffalo girl, you are coming out tonight, coming out tonight, coming out”
A song reference to by Peter P. Luther, an apparent song used in barn dances, may be a polka.
Page 35 Famished Extremely hungry.
Page 36 Pump A water pump used to get water out of the well.
Page 38 Bleating To make the noise of a goat or a sheep.
Page 38 Misgivings Feelings of doubt or mistrust.
Page 41 Inkwell A small container for writing ink into which a pen can de dipped.
Page 41 Stem To stop of hold back.
Page 42 Proffers To offer for acceptance.
Page 43 Inarticulate Unable to express oneself clearly, incoherent.
Page 45 Compelled To cause something to happen by force.
Page 46 Deferential Showing deference or respect, being respectful.
Page 46 “Outthought us behind Vicksburg”
Refers to the Siege of Vicksburg, a battle in the Civil War where the Union Army attacked the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi for more than forty days until the Confederates surrendered
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the battle. This is generally considered a turning point for the war.
Page 47 Nincompoop A silly, foolish or idiotic person.
Page 48 Nonplussed To be perplexed or bewildered, not knowing what to do.
Page 49 Tyrant A person that gains power unjustly or presses strong influences.
Page 51 Hireling Derogatory term someone paid to do something unpleasant.
Page 52 Unavailing Useless or futile.
Page 53 Deposits To place or set down.
Page 53 Laborious Something that requires much work with extreme attention to detail.
Page 54 Interposes To inset or introduce between parts.
Page 54 Deranged Disturbed or upset, generally meaning mentally insane.
Page 54 Glower A sullen or hard stare.
Page 56 Protracted To draw out in time, to prolong.
Page 57 Parasol A light umbrella that women use to block the sunlight.
Page 58 Vicksburg A small city in Mississippi that has an importance to the civil war.
Page 60 Zeal An eager desire for a person.
Page 63 Impertinent Intrusive and rude that may be irrelevant.
Page 63 Ineffectual An effect that may be powerless or unsatisfactory.
Page 63 Scuttled You can either be in a hurry or it is a small hatchlike opening in the roof.
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Page 68 Almshouse A privately supported house offering accommodation to the aged or needy.
Page 69 T.B. Abbreviation for tuberculosis.
Page 69 D.T. Abbreviation for delirium tremens, also known as the shakes.
Page 70 Bedstead The framework that supports the bed, springs and mattress.
Page 74 Paroxysm A sudden attack, spasm or fit.
Page 75 Incarnate Embodied in human form, personified.
Page 81 Shaft A ray of light.
Page 83 Trellis A framework that holds up and supports plants.
Page 84 Interminable Tirelessly long, seemingly endless.
Page 85 Boon A blessing, something useful.
Page 85 Haggard Appearing worn and exhausted gaunt.
Page 85 Crocheting Needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle.
Page 95 Belfry The framework that holds and supports the bell in churches.
Page 97 Eyecup A device that is shaped like a cup that you place over your eye to wash around the orbits of the eyeball.
Page 101 “And Jacob was left alone…expect thou bless me”
Genesis 32: 24-32. This is the story of Jacob wrestling with God, and God calling him Israel, naming a country after him.
Page 103 Papist Used as a disparaging term for Roman Catholic.
Page 103 “Pulling my – lower Another way to say the old
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extremity” phrase “pulling me leg”, meaning “you’re joking with me.”
Page 105 Laments To express sorrow or grief, to mourn.
Page 107 Consummately To realize, to complete or fulfill.
Page 107 Trepidation A state of fear or anxiety, an involuntary trembling.
Page 107 Mediate To resolve, to reconcile differences.
Page 108 Douses To plunge with liquid, to wet thoroughly.
Page 108 Dumbness This doesn’t refer to lacking brainpower as it does in today’s society, but instead refers to lacking the power of speech.
Page 109 Imperious Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
Protagonist/Antagonist
In many plays, there is a strong sense of a Protagonist (the leading character, the one that the audience sympathizes with) and an Antagonist (the opposing character, the one that gets in the way of the protagonist’s journey). This play is a little different from others, however.
In the comment section, discuss this play. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist? Is there one of either? Keep in mind that there are no wrong answers, as long as you can defend your thoughts. Also discuss who this play is about. Is this a play about Helen overcoming her difficult setbacks, or is it about Anne teaching an unteachable child?
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Report your answers below:
Who is the protagonist?
Who is the antagonist?
Is there one of the either?
Who is the play about?
Is this a play about Helen overcoming her difficult setbacks, or is it about Anne teaching an “un-teachable” child?
Treasure Hunt (enrichment activity)
Here’s a change of pace for you. Follow all of these steps, and answer the questions asked. The first person to write all of the answers down correctly in the comment section will receive bonus points on the next assignment.
Step 1: Go to http://afb.org (the American Foundation for the Blind website). Click on the ‘Helen Keller’ link. When did she write her autobiography The Story of My Life?
Step 2: Click on the ‘photograph’ section. In what year was the picture taken of Helen holding a dog?
Step 3: Find the picture of Anne spelling into Helen’s hand. Which hand is Helen feeling Anne’s fingers with?
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Step 4: Click on the ‘Biography’ section in the sidebar, then click on ‘Chronology.’ This should lead you to a timeline. How long did it take for Anne to get Helen to spell after she arrived in Tuscumbia?
Step 5: In the ‘Related Links’ section, click on the ‘Ask a Keller’ link. Go there, and find out information that you didn’t already know. Make sure it isn’t something that’s already been covered in the study guide.
Step 6: Search the site and find out how Anne taught Helen words that are weren’t things she could physically touch, such as “laugh” and “think.”
Step 7: Finally, find out if Helen ever learned how to speak.
Happy hunting!
Questions
Act 1:
1. In the opening scene, the infant Helen is critically ill, what illness does she have? What does the doctor tell the Keller’s about her chances of recovery?
2. How does Kate Keller discover Helen is blind and deaf? What does Kate do when she makes the discovery? How does the captain react?
3. What stage devices are used to show the passage of time between the opening scene and the first scene with Helen as a six year old?
4. How has Helen changed?
5. Helen is playing in the yard with two children, Martha and Percy, what does Helen do to alarm the children? How do the children react?
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6. When does Kate appear and why? What does she do that is significant?
7. How has Kate changed since the beginning of the scene?
8. How do James and Aunt Ev, as well as the Captain, feel about Helen’s behaviour?
9. Why does Captain Keller resist writing to Dr. Chisholm?
10. What did Aunt Ev give to Helen when she came into the house? What does Helen discover about the gift, and how does she react? How does Aunt Ev respond to Helen?
11. Explain what James suggests should be done with Helen? How do the others in the family feel regarding this matter?
12. What has Helen been doing while the adults have been conversing? Why? What does Helen do to Aunt Ev, and why? How does this group respond to her actions?
13. How does Helen create uproar? How does this disturbance affect the Captain and Kate? How does the scene conclude?
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14. Who is Anagnos?
15. What do we discover about Annie’s background from her conversation with Anagnos?
16. What gift does Anagnos give Annie? How does the giving of this gift reveal his attitude towards Annie?
17. Annie responds to the gift. Explain. How does Annie describe her stay at Perkins?
18. Describe Annie’s thoughts as she is about to depart from Perkins. What triggers Annie’s memories?
19. Why does Kate give Helen a peppermint?
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20. Why does Captain Keller criticize James for sitting on the porch and relaxing? How does James react?
21. How does Helen indicate to Viney that she wants her mother? What does Viney give Helen when she sees the sign?
22. Helen turns to her father, what does he try to retrieve from her? How does this scene end?
23. What is the purpose of showing how the others in the Keller household react to Helen?
24. What is Kate’s initial reaction when she sees Annie at the train station?
25 Why does Annie believe Helen can be “successfully taught”?
26. Annie wants to teach Helen. Explain her plan.
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27. How do we know Annie and Kate are friends?
28. Briefly describe Annie and Helen’s first encounter.
29. Describe the Captain’s first reaction to meeting Annie.
30. What does Helen do when she discovers the doll in Annie’s suitcase? How does Annie react? Identify the first word Annie teaches Helen.
31. Helen is locked in her room by Annie, what is outcome of this?
Act 2:
1. How does Annie say babies learn to talk? Do you agree? Explain.
2. What does Helen have to learn first in order to truly communicate?
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3. Why is Helen’s obedience so important to her learning?
4. Explain why James is an important character in the play?
5. Why is Kate so excited when Helen folds her napkin?
6. Annie’s nightmares return. Explain why.
7. What were Helen’s first words?
8. What is Annie’s idea of the original sin?
9. Explain how Annie is able to convince Helen to let her touch again?
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Act 3:
1. Act III takes place on the last day of the promised two weeks. How do the members of the Keller family feel about Helen’s two-week absence?
James: _____________________________________________________________
Kate: ______________________________________________________________
Capt. Keller: _________________________________________________________
2. Kate and James have obviously bonded during the past two weeks and Kate offers James some good advice. (a.) What is this advice? (b.) What is James’ reaction to her suggestion? (c.) What new development does this reveal about the sub-plot? (LT 9)
a. _________________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________________
3. What problem does Annie have with using a dictionary?
4. While writing the letter, Annie is thinking aloud. This is an example of a
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5. Kate and Capt. Keller are very pleased with the changes in Helen after her two week stay with Annie in the garden house. (a.) How has Helen changed? (b.) How does Annie feel about these
a. ____________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________
6. William Gibson writes that Annie was, “like a defeated general on a battlefield.” What two battles has Annie lost? (LT 9)
a. _______________________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________________
7. Why is James’ choice of grace an interesting one?
8. How does Helen act during her “welcome home” dinner?
9. How do the Kellers initially react to her behavior?
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10. James finally stands up to his father. (a.) How does this work out? (b.) What inspires James to take action and speak up? (c.) How does Capt. Keller react to this new side of James? (d.) What new development does this reveal about the sub-plot? (LT 9)
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________________________
11. What “miracle” takes place at the water pump? (LT 11)
12. Why is Kate Keller “torn both ways” by what happens at the pump? (LT 7, LT 9)