The Miracle Worker

by

William Gibson

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James Sullivan / “Jimmie” Character Analysis

James Sullivan, Annie Sullivan’s little brother, is never seen onstage, but his voice is an important presence in the play. James and Annie grew up in extreme poverty, and eventually were taken to live in a state almshouse. Around this time, James (who could barely walk) fell seriously ill and died. This caused Annie tremendous guilt, since she had promised that she would always take care of her brother. Jimmie has only a few lines in the play, but he’s an important character: Annie’s narrative “arc” begins with her guilt over Jimmie’s death and ends with her redeeming herself by “saving” Helen Keller from her isolation.

James Sullivan / “Jimmie” Quotes in The Miracle Worker

The The Miracle Worker quotes below are all either spoken by James Sullivan / “Jimmie” or refer to James Sullivan / “Jimmie”. 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:
Communication Theme Icon
).
Act 1 Quotes

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

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan
Page Number: 18
Explanation and Analysis:

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

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller
Page Number: 31
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2 Quotes

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: Annie Sullivan (speaker), James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Helen Keller
Page Number: 61
Explanation and Analysis:

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: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Kate Keller (speaker), James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Helen Keller
Page Number: 69
Explanation and Analysis:
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James Sullivan / “Jimmie” Quotes in The Miracle Worker

The The Miracle Worker quotes below are all either spoken by James Sullivan / “Jimmie” or refer to James Sullivan / “Jimmie”. 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:
Communication Theme Icon
).
Act 1 Quotes

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

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan
Page Number: 18
Explanation and Analysis:

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

Related Characters: James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller
Page Number: 31
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2 Quotes

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: Annie Sullivan (speaker), James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Helen Keller
Page Number: 61
Explanation and Analysis:

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: Annie Sullivan (speaker), Kate Keller (speaker), James Sullivan / “Jimmie” (speaker), Helen Keller
Page Number: 69
Explanation and Analysis: