Act II: Miracle Worker Beginning

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 2.

KATE: But does that—

(She imitates with her fingers.)

—mean that to her?

ANNIE: No. No, she won’t know what spelling is till she knows what a word is.

KATE: Yet you keep spelling to her. Why?

ANNIE [CHEERILY]: I like to hear myself talk!

KATE: The Captain says it’s like spelling to the fence post.

Annie [A PAUSE]: Does he, now.

KATE: Is it?

What does the dialogue reveal about Kate?

• She is eager to befriend Annie.

• She is kind to her children.

• She is curious about Annie’s methods.

• She is well-educated about sign language.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.

The only room visible in the KELLER house is ANNIE’S, where by lamplight ANNIE in a shawl is at a desk writing a letter; at her bureau HELEN in her customary unkempt state is tucking her doll in the bottom drawer as a cradle, the contents of which she has dumped out, creating as usual a fine disorder.

ANNIE mutters each word as she writes her letter, slowly, her eyes close to and almost touching the page, to follow with difficulty her penwork.

ANNIE: ". . . and, nobody, here, has, attempted, to, control, her. The, greatest, problem, I, have, is, how, to, discipline, her, without, breaking, her, spirit.”

(Resolute voice) "But, I, shall, insist, on, reasonable, obedience, from, the, start—”

(At which point HELEN, groping about on the desk, knocks over the inkwell. ANNIE jumps up, rescues her letter, rights the inkwell, grabs a towel to stem the spillage, and then wipes at HELEN’S hands. . . .)

Which setting detail establishes the time period and advances the action?

• the doll

• the lamp

• the inkwell

• the drawer

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.

HELEN in her customary unkempt state is tucking her doll in the bottom drawer as a cradle, the contents of which she has dumped out, creating as usual a fine disorder.

How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?

• The stage directions explain the historical time period.

• The stage directions describe Helen’s manner of speaking.

• The stage directions show how characters react to Helen.

• The stage directions provide characterization of Helen.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 3.

KELLER: Miss—Annie.

(He has an envelope in his fingers.)

I’ve been waiting to give you this.

ANNIE [AFTER A BREATH]: What?

KELLER: Your first month’s salary.

(He puts it in her hand.)

With many more to come, I trust. It doesn’t express what we feel, it doesn’t pay our debt. For what you’ve done.

Based on the dialogue, which statement best describes Keller?

• He is pessimistic.

• He is generous.

• He is wealthy.

• He is grateful.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.

[ANNIE:] Good, girl.

(She lets HELEN feel the smile on her face. HELEN sits with a scowl, which suddenly clears; she pats the doll, kisses it, wreathes her face in a large artificial smile, and bears the doll to the washstand, where she carefully sits it. ANNIE watches, pleased.)

Very good girl—

(Whereupon HELEN elevates the pitcher and dashes it on the floor instead. ANNIE leaps to her feet and stands inarticulate; HELEN calmly gropes back to the sewing card and needle.

ANNIE manages to achieve self-control. She picks up a fragment or two of the pitcher, sees HELEN is puzzling over the card, and resolutely kneels to demonstrate it again. She spells into HELEN’S hand.

KATE meanwhile coming around the corner with folded sheets on her arm, halts at the doorway and watches them for a moment in silence; she is moved, but level.)

Which element of the setting establishes the time period and advances the action?

• the washstand

• the sewing card

• the folded sheets

• the doorway

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

(Now HELEN begins groping, sensing something, trembling herself; and KATE, falling one step in onto her knees, clasps her, kissing her. HELEN clutches her, tight as she can. KATE is inarticulate, choked, repeating HELEN’S name again and again. She wheels with her in her arms, to stumble away out the doorway. . . .)

How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?

• The stage directions explain the characters’ facial expressions.

• The stage directions illustrate the appearance of the room.

• The stage directions reveal the historical time period.

• The stage directions describe the characters’ emotions.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7