The cast of the original production included Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, who played Helen Duke played this role for the play's entire seven hundred and nineteen performances, although Bancrpft did not remain with the company for long and was replaced by Suzanne Pleshette. The play is based on the autobiography of Helen Keller, and tells the story of her life from childhood in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to her discovery of the power that sign language had over both her life and the lives of her family members as well. He adapted the television teleplay for the stage two years later, and the three-act play premiered on October 19, 1959, at the Playhouse Theater.
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William Gibson first wrote The Miracle Workerfor Playhouse 90, a television anthology drama series that gave networks the opportunity to air something different from the traditional long-running serials, but more meaty than half-our sit-coms or gameshows. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. GradeSaver, 22 February 2020 Web.These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.
"The Miracle Worker Symbols, Allegory and Motifs".
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Next Section Metaphors and Similes Previous Section Analysis How To Cite in MLA Format Sexton, Timothy. Will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. You can help us out by revising, improving and updatingĪfter you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. This context provides symbolic meaning for the story with the angel representing Annie, Jacob standing in for Helen and the foreshadowing that their battle of wills is only going to become physical. The story to then has been one in which Annie has complained that overly protective and indulgent treatment of Helen by the Kellers is obstructing her ability to do her job. When James is asked to say grace before eating, he makes an odd choice: a Biblical story about Jacob wrestling with an angel for so long and so violently that he thigh gets out of joint. This symbolic aspect is made clear in a scene where Helen actually acts worse upon being given the candy after an effort is made to retrieve it which ends with her hiding behind the water pump, which will become a symbol of positive conditioning that is essential to changing her behavior. The Keller family tries to control Helen’s behavior by giving her candy, not realizing that she makes the connection between behavior and reward. CandyĬandy becomes a symbol of negative behavior conditioning. Helen’s interactions reveal that she is only physically disabled, not intellectually and the dolls thus become a symbol for the possibility of her being taught and learning. When she touches the face of a doll which has no actual facial features, for instance, she recognizes this absence and makes the effort to correct the flaw. Helen is often shown interacting with a doll and it is specifically the ways she interacts with the dolls that lend them symbolic significance. Water has the spiritual symbolism of baptism and rebirth as both Annie and Helen undergo transformative moments that change their lives forever. And, of course, the climax of the story is Helen’s learning to communicate at the water pump and speaking her first and only word of the play, “wah” to indicate water. One of battle of wills physically acted out between Annie and Helen to demonstrate the dramatic tension of their relationship take a sudden intense turn when Annie throws water into Helen’s face. The water pump outside the house is the most important part of the set and a focus lighting effects and directorial focus. The symbolism refers to the process of Annie unlocking the secret to communicating with Helen which is the driving force of the narrative. Annie’s own teacher describes Helen as “little safe, locked, that no one can open.” When Annie first arrives at the Keller home, she is locked in her room by Helen who hides the key. References to locks, keys which can open them and the spaces which they can close or open are a recurring symbolic motif throughout the play. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.