Annie Sullivan Character Analysis in The Miracle Worker

Annie Sullivan is the “miracle worker” of the play’s title, and the play’s protagonist. A Massachusetts “Yankee,” as several of the Kellers like to call her, Annie grew up blind in a squalid almshouse with her younger brother, James Sullivan. James (or “Jimmie”) died at the almshouse, and Annie appears to feel personally responsible for the death of her beloved brother. Later, Annie attended the Perkins Institute for the Blind, where she learned how to read and write, and eventually received surgery to help her regain her sight. She seems to be attracted to teaching, not just because she’s benefitted from education personally but because she continues to feel guilty for James’s death. In a way, taking care of children is her way of atoning for having “abandoned” James as a child. Annie tries to teach Helen Keller how to communicate by introducing her to sign language. Annie is shown to be a highly capable teacher—not so much because she’s a genius, but because she’s persistent and has a personal stake in helping her pupils succeed. In the end, Annie succeeds in teaching Helen the concept of meaning—that is, the relationship between words in sign language and the things they represent. In doing so, it’s implied, Annie not only triumphs where many other doctors have failed—she also comes to terms with her own traumatic past.

Annie Sullivan Quotes in The Miracle Worker

The The Miracle Worker quotes below are all either spoken by Annie Sullivan or refer to Annie Sullivan. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

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

Related Characters: Anagnos (speaker), Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan

Related Symbols: Sight and blindness

Page Number and Citation: 13

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Mr. Anagnos, the director of the Perkins Institute for the Blind (a real-life school for blind students), comments on Helen Keller’s situation. Anagnos is preparing his former student, Annie Sullivan, for her upcoming position as Helen Keller’s teacher. He describes Helen’s mind as being trapped in “a little safe.” Helen has a working mind, but she lacks any of the usual ways of expressing her thoughts and feelings: she doesn’t yet know how to speak, or write, or use sign language. It is Annie’s job, in short, to teach Helen how to “open” her mind, finding a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus temp

BOY’S VOICE [in terror]: Annie! Annie, don't let them take me-Annie!

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan

Page Number and Citation: 18

Explanation and Analysis:

Early in the play, readers learn that Annie Sullivan, the teacher who has been sent to educate Helen Keller, is haunted by her own past. At various points, the stage lights dim, signaling that Annie is experiencing a traumatic memory. These memories are usually accompanied by strange, echoing voices—such as this voice, crying Annie’s name again and again. For the time being, it’s not entirely clear who the voice belongs to. But gradually, it becomes clear that the boy is Jimmie Sullivan, Annie’s beloved younger brother, who dies when Annie is still a child. Annie seems to hold herself personally Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliqu

ANNIE: I have three big advantages over Dr. Howe that money couldn't buy for you. One is his work behind me, I've read every word he wrote about it and he wasn't exactly what you'd call a man of few words. Another is to be young, why, I've got energy to do anything. The third is, I've been blind.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Dr. Howe, Helen Keller

Related Symbols: Sight and blindness

Page Number and Citation: 24

Explanation and Analysis:

Annie Sullivan arrives in Alabama and meets the Keller family. The Kellers—particularly James and Arthur—are somewhat doubtful about Annie’s abilities (especially because of her youth, and because of the family’s anti-“Yankee” bias). Sensing all this, Annie lists some of her qualifications. In spite of her youth, Annie is an educated woman, who understands techniques for educating people with disabilities. She also has the energy necessary to spend long hours working with Helen—unlike some of the more eminent doctors who have worked with Helen, Annie won’t burn out easily. The third reason Annie gives is probably the most important. Annie has Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum

KELLER: Here’s a houseful of grownups can't cope with the child, how can an inexperienced half-blind Yankee schoolgirl manage her?

Related Characters: Captain Arthur Keller (speaker), Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan

Related Symbols: Sight and blindness

Page Number and Citation: 28

Explanation and Analysis:

Captain Arthur Keller’s anti-Northern bias is palpable in this passage. Annie Sullivan has just arrived in Alabama from Massachusetts—a state that, for the wealthy, genteel Keller family, symbolizes everything wrong with Northern culture. Bostonians, Arthur claims, are rude, uncivilized, and generally incapable of following directions. Therefore, Arthur finds it unlikely that Annie will be able to teach Helen anything. The play is full of allusions to the legacy of the Civil War (it takes place in the 1880s, about two decades after the war ended with a Northern victory). One could even interpret the play as something of a metaphor Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. N

ANNIE: All right, Miss O'Sullivan. Let's begin with doll.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Related Symbols: Dolls

Page Number and Citation: 29

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Annie begins her lessons with Helen. Annie has brought with her several items, including a large doll, which she intends to use to educate her new student. The doll clearly has special significance for Annie, since Annie began her education at the Perkins Institute for the Blind by studying a doll and, presumably, learning the words to describe it. It’s for this reason that Annie seems to be addressing herself in this passage—by educating Helen, Annie is in a sense revisiting her own early education, except this time she’s the teacher. Annie is an effective teacher for Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Ac

JAMES: Spell, she doesn't know the thing has a name, even.

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 31

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, James Keller—the sullen, cynical son of Arthur Keller—watches Annie teaching Helen Keller how to spell. James makes an annoying but nevertheless valuable point: there doesn’t seem to be any reason to teach Helen how to spell, considering that she doesn’t know what spelling, names, or meaning are. Annie has a good answer prepared for James’s question—you have to teach a child words before the child understands meaning, not the other way around—but the question is an important one. On the surface, it may seem counterintuitive that Annie would begin with words themselves rather than the concept of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Vo

ANNIE: You think I'm so easily gotten rid of? You have a thing or two to learn, first. I have nothing else to do.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 40

Explanation and Analysis:

The first act ends with Helen Keller tormenting Annie Sullivan, her new teacher. Helen hits Annie, drawing blood, and locks Annie in her room, hiding the key. These antics prove, first of all, that Helen is a wild, frustrated child. But they also suggest that Helen isn’t as ignorant as Arthur and James sometimes suggest she is. In reality, Helen is a bright young person (for example, she cleverly hid the key from a household of adults) but she has the massive disadvantage of being unable to see or hear. This passage, ultimately, is about Annie much more than it's Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Vol

ANNIE: Any baby. Gibberish, grown-up gibberish, baby-talk gibberish, do they understand one word of it to start? Somehow they begin to. If they hear it, I'm letting Helen hear it.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller, Kate Keller

Page Number and Citation: 44

Explanation and Analysis:

At the beginning of Act Two, Annie continues to work one-on-one with Helen, showing her the hand signals for various basic English words. Kate Keller watches Annie working with Helen, and poses a question James Keller asked already: what’s the point of teaching Helen how to spell if Helen doesn’t even know what a word is? This time, Annie gives Kate a proper answer to the question. Helen will only be able to understand the concept of meaning if she understands sign language (or at least a couple words in sign language) already—in other words, the horse has to go Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. C

KATE: Miss Annie. You see, she's accustomed to helping herself from our plates to anything she—
ANNIE [Evenly]: Yes, but, I'm not accustomed to it.

Related Characters: Kate Keller (speaker), Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 47-48

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, the Kellers are sitting at dinner and, as usual, Helen is stealing food from others’ plates and eating it with her bare hands. The unusual part of this scene, however, is the presence of Annie Sullivan, Helen’s new teacher. Annie refuses to indulge Helen’s behavior. She tries to correct and improve it, depriving Helen of food in order to train her to exercise restraint and learn some manners. Annie’s aggressive teaching methods anger Captain Arthur Keller, who is accustomed to letting Helen do more or less whatever she wants. The passage is a good example of how Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recu

BOY’S VOICE: You ain't goin' to school, are you, Annie?
ANNIE [whispering]: When I grow up.
BOY’S VOICE: You ain't either, Annie. You're goin' to stay here take care of me.
ANNIE: I'm goin' to school when I grow up.
BOY’S VOICE: You said we'll be together, forever and ever and ever–
ANNIE [fierce]; I'm goin' to school when I grow up!

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 61

Explanation and Analysis:

In this flashback scene, the adult Annie Sullivan is tormented by her memories of arguing with her deceased brother, James Sullivan. As children, Annie and James promised to take care of each other forever. But Annie wanted to go to a school for the blind—something which required her to move away from James. James was distressed by this news, and shortly afterwards, he died, making Annie feel incredibly guilty. Although Annie later reports all of this to the Kellers, this passage doesn’t make Annie’s complicated history clear all at once. Rather, Gibson allows readers to piece together Annie’s backstory very Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur molli

ANNIE: Mrs. Keller, I don't think Helen's worst handicap is deafness or blindness. I think it's your love. And pity.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Kate Keller, Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 66

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Annie Sullivan stands up to Arthur and Kate Keller and tells them the plain truth: the reason that Helen Keller hasn’t yet learned how to read and communicate is that her parents spoil her. Arthur and Kate obviously love their child, and want to treat her nicely—but after a certain point, their kindness becomes counterproductive. Kate in particular is reluctant to punish Helen for her misbehavior, and the result is that Helen is emboldened to misbehave again and again. Furthermore, it sends Helen the message that there’s no point in her concentrating on learning to communicate. Recognizing Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident

ANNIE: The first year we had eighty, seventy died. The room Jimmie and I played in was the deadhouse, where they kept the bodies till they could dig—
KATE [closes her eyes]: Oh, my dear—
ANNIE: —the graves.
(She is immune to KATE's compassion.)
No, it made me strong. But I don't think you need send Helen there. She's strong enough.

Related Characters: Kate Keller (speaker), Annie Sullivan (speaker), James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 69

Explanation and Analysis:

Annie Sullivan continues to tell Kate and Arthur Keller about her own early life. She and her brother James Keller grew up in abject poverty and later were moved into a state almshouse (something like a homeless shelter). Life in the almshouse was miserable, with people dying left and right. The remarkable thing about this passage, however, isn’t the horrors that Annie describes to Kate and Arthur—rather, it’s how passively and emotionlessly Annie describes those horrors. Even when Kate makes a sympathetic noise, Annie ignores her response and goes on describing the almshouse. She has lived in pain for so Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde e

JAMES: That she isn't. That there's such a thing as-dullness of heart. Acceptance. And letting go. Sooner or later we all give up, don't we?
ANNIE: Maybe you all do. It’s my idea of the original sin.

Related Characters: James Keller (speaker), Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 73

Explanation and Analysis:

In this scene, audiences get a better sense for Annie’s personality—as well as James’s. James Keller tries to tease Annie for being so persistent in her teaching—he’s baffled and bemused that she would spend long hours teaching Helen the signs for words Helen doesn’t even understand. But when he tries to ridicule Annie for doing exactly this, his plan backfires. Annie claims that she despises the idea of giving up—it’s her idea of a sin. From their exchange, it’s clear that Annie thinks of James as someone who has given up—someone who has resigned himself to being unhappy and is Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Ac

ANNIE: Yes, what's it to me? They're satisfied. Give them back their child and dog, both housebroken, everyone's satisfied. But me, and you.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller, Kate Keller, Captain Arthur Keller

Page Number and Citation: 94

Explanation and Analysis:

After two weeks of trying to teach Helen Keller how to understand language, Annie Sullivan has almost given up. Arthur Keller is prepared to take Helen back into the house, where—Annie knows full well—Helen will be spoiled and regress, unlearning all the valuable lessons in politeness and manners that Annie has taught her. But Annie refuses to let this happen. Helen’s father, Annie understands, doesn't really seem to care whether Helen can communicate or not. He just wants an obedient, easy-to-manage daughter—one who can be quiet and behave herself and not cause a fuss. Annie finds this simply disgraceful: from Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occa

JAMES: She's right, Kate's right, I'm right, and you're wrong. If you drive her away from here it will be over my dead-chair, has it never occurred to you that on one occasion you might be consummately wrong?

Related Characters: James Keller (speaker), Helen Keller, Captain Arthur Keller, Annie Sullivan, Kate Keller

Page Number and Citation: 107

Explanation and Analysis:

In this crucial moment, James Keller finally stands up to his father, Captain Arthur Keller. Throughout the play, James has been sullen and sarcastic around his father: he’s forever cracking jokes about his father’s air of gruff authority, which Arthur usually finds very annoying. It’s pretty obvious that James resents his father, but it’s also pretty clear that James lacks the courage to stand up to his father and say exactly how he’s feeling. But after paying attention to Annie and Helen’s lessons, James seems to find the courage to stand up for himself. Instead of using language as a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. D

ANNIE: I, love, Helen.
(She clutches the child to her, tight this time, not spelling, whispering into her hair.)
Forever, and—
(She stops. The lights over the pump are taking on the color of the past, and it brings ANNIE’s head up, her eyes opening in fear; and as slowly as though drawn she rises, to listen, with her hand on HELEN’s shoulders. She waits, waits, listening with ears and eyes both, slowly here, slowly there: and hears only silence. There are no voices. The color passes on, and when her eyes come back to HELEN she can breathe the end of her phrase without fear:)
—ever.

Related Characters: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Helen Keller

Page Number and Citation: 112

Explanation and Analysis:

The play ends by bringing Annie’s “character arc” to a close. Throughout the play, Annie has suggested that she is motivated to help Helen in part because of her guilt over the death of her beloved brother, Jimmie Sullivan. She experiences vivid, traumatic flashbacks, signaled by the dimming of the lights. Here, at the end of the play, the lights dim, but no echoing voices are heard—Jimmie’s vanished spirit doesn’t seem to haunt her any longer. The message, perhaps, is that by educating Helen, Annie has redeemed herself in her own eyes. She feels horrible for abandoning Jimmie to go Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic

Annie Sullivan Character Timeline in The Miracle Worker

The timeline below shows where the character Annie Sullivan appears in The Miracle Worker. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...to the Keller family to inquire if they have any need for a “suitable governess,” Annie Sullivan from Boston. (full context)

The lights go up, revealing a room full of equipment designed for teaching the blind. Annie Sullivan, aged twenty, is sitting with her eyes closed. Anagnos addresses Annie, explaining that Annie’s... (full context)

Annie asks Anagnos to describe the child she’s being sent to teach. Anagnos replies that nobody... (full context)

Anagnos reviews Annie’s new situation with her. She is now a graduate of the Perkins School. She will... (full context)

...the door and ushers in a group of blind children, who announce that they’ve bought Annie a going-away gift: a pair of smoked glasses (i.e., tinted glasses). One of the children... (full context)

Anagnos shepherds the children out of the room. As Annie thinks back on her past, two echoing voices can be heard. They belong to the... (full context)

...downstairs, where he notices that James is dressed nicely. James explains that he’s dressing for Annie Sullivan, who’s due to arrive today. Kate greets Arthur and tells him that she’s headed... (full context)

The lights dim, revealing Annie Sullivan standing outside a railroad station, where James and Kate are waiting. James greets her... (full context)

Annie, recognizing that Kate looks dismayed, tries to “take the bull by the horns.” She admits... (full context)

The lights dim, and when they rise, Annie, James, and Kate are coming back to the house. Arthur Keller greets Annie politely, just... (full context)

Annie hesitates, and then follows Helen, “entering her world.” She crouches down and, gently, touches Helen’s... (full context)

As Annie meets Helen, Arthur and Kate talk about Annie. Kate likes her, but Arthur finds her... (full context)

Meanwhile, in her room, Annie gives Helen a key. Helen uses the key to open the suitcase. She finds a... (full context)

Annie takes Helen’s hand and gently manipulates the fingers, spelling out “D-O-L-L” in sign language. James,... (full context)

Alone with Helen, Annie produces a piece of cake from her suitcase, and holds it under Helen’s nose. Then,... (full context)

Annie shows Helen the doll again, prompting Helen to spell its name. Helen does so, and... (full context)

James hears Annie’s yelling, but instead of unlocking the door, goes out to the porch and sings mockingly... (full context)

The lights dim, and echoing voices can now be heard. A boy moans, “Annie, it hurts,” and a harsh-sounding elder woman’s voice shouts, “shut up!” The boy whispers, “You... (full context)

...Arthur Keller for supper. James calls out to his father, and when Kate asks where Annie is, James replies, very pleasantly, “In her room.” He explains that Helen locked her in... (full context)

...realizing that Kate will never find the key, takes the ladder and climbs up to Annie’s room, telling her that he’ll have to carry her down. Annie agrees, trying to look... (full context)

Annie notices Helen sitting by the pump, oblivious to the chaos around her. The lights dim,... (full context)

It is late evening, and Annie’s bedroom is the only room in the Keller house with the light on. Helen stands... (full context)

Helen knocks over Annie’s inkwell. Annie immediately takes the inkwell and saves her letter, mopping up the spillage. Then,... (full context)

Kate passes by the doorway and sees what Annie is doing. Annie explains that she’s teaching Helen to spell—even though Helen doesn’t even know... (full context)

Just then, Annie reaches for the sewing card. Helen takes the needle and pokes Annie’s finger with it.... (full context)

...it’s morning. Viney comes outside to pump water. Inside, Helen is wandering around the table, Annie is studying Helen carefully, and Kate tries to eat her eggs while Helen pokes at... (full context)

Arthur and Kate explain to Annie that Helen is “accustomed to helping herself from our plates.” Annie retorts, “but I’m not... (full context)

Furiously, Arthur asks Kate to come outside and talk with him. James leaves also, leaving Annie and Helen alone. While Annie and Helen struggle, Arthur tells Kate that he’s on the... (full context)

Meanwhile, Annie clears everyone’s plates off of the table except for Helen’s and her own. She guides... (full context)

Helen wanders toward Kate’s chair, touching it with her hand. Annie goes over to Helen and tries to spell on Helen’s hand. But Helen pushes away... (full context)

...When she’s eaten all her food, Helen holds out her plate for more. In response, Annie takes a spoon and tries to place it in Helen’s hand, even as Helen resists.... (full context)

Just then, Helen and Annie emerge from the house. They both look exhausted. Triumphantly, Annie announces that Helen ate from... (full context)

Upstairs, Annie opens her suitcase and finds a battered copy of her “Perkins report.” A man’s voice... (full context)

Suddenly, a boy’s voice asks, “Annie, what’s that noise?” Annie replies, that somebody is pushing a cot to “the deadhouse.” Jimmie... (full context)

Annie gets to her feet and begins putting things in her suitcase. Meanwhile, in the garden... (full context)

Annie, having packed her suitcase, walks down to the garden house. There, Arthur informs Annie that... (full context)

Annie tells the Kellers that Helen’s worst handicap isn’t deafness or blindness—it’s her own parents’ spoiling... (full context)

Annie tells Kate and Arthur about her own childhood. She grew up in “the state almshouse,”... (full context)

Annie suggests that she and Helen live in the garden house, with Percy to help them... (full context)

Alone in the garden house, Annie takes Kate’s hand and shows her the alphabet. The lights dim while, slowly, the characters... (full context)

...two hours, meaning that, for all Helen knows, she’s far away from home. Kate begs Annie, “Please be good to her.” Annie promises she will. (full context)

The Kellers leave Annie and Helen alone, and Helen begins banging around the garden house. She finds her doll... (full context)

Meanwhile, in the house, James Keller mockingly asks Kate, how Annie manages to get everything she wants out of Kate. Furious, Arthur twists James’s arm, demanding... (full context)

Alone, Kate tells Arthur she’s proud of him for letting Annie have control over Helen. Arthur wonders aloud why James, his own son, can’t stand him.... (full context)

Annie, now in bed in the garden house, is wide-awake. Voices fill the stage. The young... (full context)

Annie tells Percy to touch Helen’s hand. He does so, and Helen, delighted, emerges from under... (full context)

Alone, Annie sits in a rocking chair with Helen’s doll. Happy with herself, she begins singing a... (full context)

The stage is dark as Annie and Helen sit in bed in the garden house. Annie teaches Helen how to spell... (full context)

...nervous, but James says that the house has been blissfully silent—a statement that infuriates Arthur. Annie continues to sit with Helen, spelling the word “water.” Arthur tells James that if he... (full context)

Meanwhile, in the garden house, Annie, not wearing her smoked glasses, writes that she feels deeply “undisciplined” as she teaches Helen.... (full context)

Just then, Kate enters the garden house and inquires what Annie is doing. Annie quickly puts her glasses on again and explains, “Whatever I spell to... (full context)

...the garden house. He explains that he’s brought Helen a “playmate,” a dog named Belle. Annie reminds him that her two weeks with Helen aren’t yet complete—she has until 6pm. Arthur... (full context)

Alone with Helen, Annie spells out “D-O-G” and then touches Helens hand to Belle. Then, she gets a tumbler... (full context)

...the bell tolls six, James, Viney, Percy, and Martha enter the garden house and remove Annie and Helen’s things, bringing them back to the house. James takes Annie’s suitcase, and studies... (full context)

Kate comes to the garden house. Annie, seeing Kate, touches Helen’s hand to Kate’s cheek and spells, “mother.” Kate, impatient, cries out,... (full context)

Now alone in the garden house, Annie hears a boy’s voice saying, “You said we’d be together, forever and ever.” These words... (full context)

Just then, Arthur Keller enters the garden house and gives Annie her first months’ salary. He thanks Annie for changing Helen from a “wild thing” into... (full context)

At the supper table, Helen throws her napkin to the floor. Annie puts the napkin back on Helen’s lap, and when Helen throws it away again, Annie... (full context)

...think we’ve started all over.” Helen finds a pitcher of water and swings it in Annie’s direction, getting water all over Annie’s dress. Annie stands up and carries Helen out of... (full context)

Outside, Annie leads Helen to the water pump, still holding the pitcher. She touches Helen’s hand to... (full context)

Helen seems suddenly excited. She touches the earth and then holds out her hand expectantly—Annie spells “ground.” She does the same with the pump, the steps of the porch, and... (full context)

Helen turns to Annie and grasps Annie’s thigh. Annie makes the sign for “teacher” and Helen repeats it back... (full context)

Annie takes Helen’s hand and spells out, “I love Helen … forever and ever.” The lights... (full context)

Annie Sullivan Character Analysis

Annie Sullivan Quotes in The Miracle Worker

Act 1 Quotes

Act 2 Quotes

Act 3 Quotes

Annie Sullivan Character Timeline in The Miracle Worker