1 “THE MIRACLE WORKER”MOVIE REVIEW: Guide Questions

1. Explain Helen Keller’s history by the kind of house she lived in during her childhood, and
the kind of family she had. How did she use her functioning senses to compensate for
what she was born without?
When Helen is nineteen months old, she contracted an illness that left her blind and deaf. Not knowing
what to do about this condition, her family spoils her. Keller shows how she used smell, her ability to
sense vibration, and most powerfully, touch, to make connections with a world she could not see or hear.
Despite there being no established method of teaching a blind and deaf child, Sullivan and Keller
innovate a new method of communication in which Sullivan signs letters into Keller's hands. An episode
from her life that demonstrates her determination to overcome societal obstacles, with the help of Miss
Sullivan.
2. What are the characteristics of Helen Keller? How did losing both her sight and hearing
affect Helen Keller’s attitude and feelings as she grew?
By the time she was six years old, Keller’s depression and frustration with her isolation and inability to
communicate are evident in her temper tantrums—she is wild and unmanageable. Helen Keller describes
herself as able to initially adapt after the illness leaves her blind and deaf. She at first developed a sign
language with her mother, such as pantomiming slicing and buttering toast when she wanted bread and
butter or pretending to work the freezer and shivering when she desired ice cream.
3. The most important day in Helen Keller’s life was when her teacher came to her, discuss
briefly this episode.
Helen learned to communicate for the first time since becoming blind and deaf because of Miss Sullivan.
For weeks, Miss Sullivan had been trying to get Helen to understand that her finger motions on Helen's
palm were a form of writing that corresponded to objects Helen held.
4. How did the word “water” open new horizons for Helen Keller?
Miss Sullivan spelling out water on her hand while water was running on it from the pump, Helen
suddenly understood what was going on, and in that instant, her whole world transformed. Suddenly, she
could communicate and no longer had to live isolated in a world of loneliness and frustration.
5. How did Anne Sullivan succeed in transforming Hellen Keller’s life?
Anne Sullivan not only transformed Helen but also made her transcend her physical barriers. Helen Keller
was deaf, blind and almost mute, trapped in her silent and dark world, prone to violence and anger. Anne
Sullivan's angelic touch, meticulous planning, deep commitment and tender sympathy worked wonders
for Helen. The first day Anne Sullivan arrived, Helen learned to spell’d-o-l-l',than other words followed,
with the understanding what “Water” meant. That “living world” awakened Helen's soul, gave it light and
hope. Then she learned abstract concepts like “love” and “Think”.
Anne Sullivan's instructional and innovative ideas made even learning playful. Helen was taken outdoors
in fields and gardens and they were her first lessons. She learned to respond to her surroundings, from
reading manual alphabets, Helen gradually learned to read and even speak. Anne was constantly with
her, giving her practice and treating her like normal children. She taught Geography by taking her to the
beach and Helen learned science by watching a plant grow. Anne accomplished her even to college and
she had a tough time spelling difficult subjects like Geometry, Algebra, Greek and latin. Anne taught
Helen to love nature and inculcated in her the desire to read great literature.
Anne Sullivan was Helen's teacher, companion, guide and guardian angel ― all rolled into one. It was
due to her that Helen learned from life itself. Helen believed that she was “a little mass of possibilities”
and it was Anne, who unfolded and developed them. When she entered Helen's life, she brought fresh
breeze of joy and love and never let pass any opportunity to point out beauty in everything. It was her
genius, her quick sympathy, her loving tact that did not let Helen feel bitter about her deprivations.
Helen always acknowledged her teacher's greatness. In fact she could not think of herself apart from her.
Mr J. Whittier called her “Helen’s spiritual liberator”. Helen Said, “All the best of me belonged to her ―
there is not a talent, or an aspiration or a joy in me that has not been awakened by her loving touch.” It
was due to Anne, that Helen's discovery of seeking joy all around, becomes our own quest.
6. As a future teacher, how will you explain Helen’s case using Child and Adolescent
learners and learning principles (elaborate)?
As a future teacher, Helen’s case is not ordinary case. She was diagnosed with Rubella, at19 months old,
and suffered from meningitis or scarlet fever. After her illness she never regained her sight or her ability to
hear. This condition is now labelled Deafblindness. Keller’s condition left her “functionally dumb,” and
existing in “black silence.” Although Helen had an amazing teacher in Anne Sullivan, Helen would have to
realize her own consciousness before she could move forward in her learning of how to communicate
with the world around her. Sullivan was the perfect teacher for Helen. Having been blind and alone early
in life, Sullivan understood the loneliness Helen was suffering. Sullivan would help Helen come out of the
darkness. However, Helen would have to realize for herself exactly what that would entail. As a future
teacher, we should be sensitive to our learners especially we know some of them are gifted or
incapacitated to do normal things. It is also a test of patience to us and most of all, teaching to the
students will bring out our passion towards them.

April Joy D. Boluso