ANAGNOS: Deaf, blind, mute—who knows? She is like a little safe, locked, that no one can open. Perhaps there is a treasure inside.

Question

ANNIE: Maybe it’s empty, too?

ANAGNOS: Possible. I should warn you, she is much given to tantrums.

ANNIE: Means something is inside. Well, so am I, if I believe all I hear. Maybe you should warn them.

ANAGNOS: [FROWNS]: Annie. I wrote them no word of your history. You will find yourself among strangers now, who know nothing of it.

Next, read the excerpt from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller.

Dr. Bell advised my father to write to Mr. Anagnos, director of the Perkins Institution in Boston, the scene of Dr. Howe's great labours for the blind, and ask him if he had a teacher competent to begin my education. This my father did at once, and in a few weeks there came a kind letter from Mr. Anagnos with the comforting assurance that a teacher had been found. This was in the summer of 1886. But Miss Sullivan did not arrive until the following March.

Based on the excerpts, how is the point of view in The Miracle Worker different from the point of view in The Story of My Life?

The reader gets background on how Annie came to be Helen’s teacher.
The reader experiences Helen’s feelings of frustration in a description of her tantrums.
The reader gets background information that Helen might not have known about or experienced.
The reader experiences Miss Sullivan coming to teach Helen from Helen’s point of view.

Answer 1

The point of view in The Miracle Worker and The Story of My Life differs primarily in how the reader perceives experiences and emotions related to Helen Keller.

1. Background on Annie's Role: In The Miracle Worker, the reader learns about Annie's perspective and feelings regarding her role as a teacher. This highlights the challenges she faces in connecting with Helen, which isn't explicitly outlined in The Story of My Life, where the focus is more on Helen's journey.

2. Helen’s Tantrums: In the excerpt from The Miracle Worker, the audience is given insight into Helen's emotional struggles, as reflected in her tantrums. This portrayal allows the reader to gain empathy for both Helen and Annie's positions, giving a concrete representation of Helen's frustration and the complexity of her character.

3. Background Information: The dialogue involving Annie and Anagnos provides context about Helen’s past and expectations that might not be fully conveyed in Helen's own narrative. This background information helps set the stage for the audience's understanding of her situation from a broader perspective.

4. Helen’s Point of View: In contrast, The Story of My Life presents events from Helen Keller's own perspective. Readers gain direct access to her thoughts and feelings, particularly in relation to her education and her anticipation of Miss Sullivan’s arrival. This first-person account emphasizes Helen’s personal experiences, desires, and frustrations.

In summary, The Miracle Worker provides a more external view of Helen's situation and the struggles she faces, while The Story of My Life offers an intimate glimpse into Helen’s individual experiences and emotions.