How accurate do you suppose this play is? Where do you suspect the playwright may have been taking “poetic license”? 6. How has Annie changed Helen’s life? Has Annie changed or grown? 5. Why do you think the playwright threaded Annie’s memories of her brother throughout the story? 4. Did you identify with any of the characters in the story? Could you empathize with James and his relationship with his father? Could you feel for Kate? Have you ever been in Annie’s shoes? or in Helen’s? 3. Which parts of this play were most vivid and interesting to you? Which parts made you laugh? Did any parts make you cry? 2. Write a telegram of 20 words or less to your friends at your former school, informing them of your success with Helen.Īfter Reading … l l l l Post-Reading Questions and Activities Discussion Questions (These may also be used for writing.
Who do you think is right? How does this incident lead to disruption of the welcome-home meal? Do you think that Annie is making a mountain out of a molehill? How does James finally stand up to his father? What is his father’s response? ( Why does Annie want Helen to fill the pitcher? What “miracle” happens at the pump? What is Helen’s first act of communication with her mother? Why is it “a moment in which she simultaneously finds and loses a child” (p. 110) that he is changing in his attitude toward Annie? Is she surprised? What is the significance of the verse James chooses for grace? Why do you think Helen keeps dropping her napkin? Annie claims that Helen is testing the Kellers, and James adds that Helen is testing Annie. To what does Annie compare that inner force? How can you tell by Keller’s gestures and words (pages 108 -1 09) that he is changing in his attitude toward Annie? Why do you think he is changing? Why do you think Helen gives the keys to her mother? How can you tell by James’s gestures and words (p. 108)? Annie says that she will keep on trying to teach Helen language, keeping faith that inside Helen is waiting. obedience without understanding is a blindness too” (p. Why does she decide to do so now? What was it like in the asylum where Annie grew up? Is Annie bitter about her past, do you think? Prediction: Do you think Keller will agree to Annie’s request that she have complete charge of Helen?Īct 3 (pgs. Why? Why doesn’t Kate do as Keller tells her to? Why doesn’t Keller fire Annie on the spot, as he wanted Kate to do? What does Annie tell the Kellers she thinks Helen’s worst handicap is? What does she mean? How does Annie feel about the Kellers’ considering an asylum for Helen What plan does Annie propose to the Kellers for Helen? Why does she want “complete charge” of Helen? Annie had earlier decided that she would not tell the Kellers about her past.
Does this change your impression of Annie? Why do you think this memory comes up now? Keller wants Kate to give Annie notice. 65)? What mixed feelings does Kate seem to have when Annie emerges from the breakfast room and announces that Helen ate from her own plate and folded her napkin? Annie has another memory about her past in the home with her brother (pages 6869). What is Aunt Ev like? Why does she talk about Robert E. How long do you think it will take for Helen to eat politely at the table?Īct 2 (pgs.
What images stand out most clearly in your mind as you think about that scene? What is Annie trying to teach Helen? Do you think she is going about it the right way? Is she being too harsh? Prediction: Annie has been working on Helen’s table manners. 52)? Why does Annie lock herself in the dining room with Helen? Does Keller approve? Do you think the problem with Helen could have been better handled? How? Does Annie have the right to talk to Keller as she does? Why or why not? There are over five pages of stage directions describing the wordless confrontation between Helen and Annie in the dining room (pp. 49)? What is a sewing card? Why does Annie give one to Helen? What is the result? Why do you think Helen breaks the pitcher? How does Annie react? Why does Annie mention the way Kate talks to the baby? How does Kate offer to help teach Helen about words? Why do you suppose Helen’s father doesn’t offer to learn sign language, too? Would most fathers? Why do you think Annie “throttles” Helen’s doll (p.
Why does it take Annie so much effort to write? To whom do you think she is writing? What does Annie mean when she says to Helen, “You keep out of the ink and perhaps I can keep out of-the soup.