“THE MIRACLE Worker” is a play written by William Gibson in 1956 and adapted from Helen Keller’s autobiography, “The Story of My Life.” —Susan Lynn
It wasn’t until I reread “The Miracle Worker” earlier this week that I realized its universal lesson of how setting goals gives us purpose.
“Why can’t you let her be?” Helen’s half-brother, Jimmie, asks of Annie Sullivan, Helen’s new teacher.
“Have some pity on her, for being what she is,” he continues.
To which Annie replies, “If I’d ever once thought like that, I’d be dead!
Miss Sullivan has more than just seven-year-old Helen Keller to work with, but the entire Keller clan who would have been satisfied if they could merely enjoy a meal together without Helen turning the dining room into a scene from “Animal House.”
As for Helen’s father, Captain Keller prized obedience.
Shoot me now, Annie thinks.
“Obedience without understanding is a blindness, too,” she says to the captain.
For she knows Helen has the ability to learn about the greater world and better yet, communicate with that outside world.
But to reach the deaf and blind girl is a monumental task. Yes, Helen is learning sign language, but has yet to connect the words to their meaning.
“She spells back in her sleep,” Annie says. “Her fingers make letters when she doesn’t know! In her bones those five fingers know, that hand aches to — speak out, and something in her mind is asleep, how do I nudge that awake?”
When Helen finally understands the connection between the word water and the liquid substance, the joy is overwhelming and her thirst for knowledge unquenchable.
The title came from fellow author Mark Twain’s description of Sullivan as a “miracle worker.”
Because of Sullivan’s amazing work, Helen Keller was able to lead an equally amazing life, being the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college. Keller, 1880-1968, became a world famous author and social activist.
The play, which is also the selection for this year’s Iola Reads, will come to life in Iola on Feb. 22 at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center courtesy of the Montana Repertory Theatre.
It will be a performance to remember.
‘Miracle Worker’ teaches us to reach beyond our ken
