Question

Read the following text from a play. This excerpt is about Helen Keller.

[ANNIE... spells into HELEN's free palm:]

Water. W, a, t, e, r. Water. It has a-name-

And now the miracle happens. HELEN drops the pitcher on the slab under the spout, it
shatters. She stands transfixed. ANNIE freezes on the pump handle: there is a change in
the sundown light, and with it a change in HELEN's face, some light coming into it we
have never seen there, some struggle in the depths behind it; and her lips tremble, trying
to remember something the muscles around them once knew, till at last it finds its way
out, painfully, a baby sound buried under the debris. . . .
HELEN: Wah. Wah.
From William Gibson, The Miracle Worker. Copyright 1957 by William Gibson
The previous text suggested that for Helen, learning the word "water" felt like triggering a
memory. How does this play build on or challenge that idea?
It illustrates how happy Helen felt when she understood the word "water."
It suggests that Helen knew the word "water" before she lost her hearing.
It emphasizes what Annie was feeling when Helen learned the word "water."

Answer 1

The play "The Miracle Worker" builds on the idea that learning the word "water" felt like triggering a memory for Helen Keller by illustrating the struggle and effort required for Helen to learn language, and the emotional impact it had on both Helen and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. The excerpt shows how Helen had to work hard to make the connection between the spelling of the word "water" and the tactile sensation of water on her hand, and how this effort caused a breakthrough moment where she was able to make her first attempt at speaking the word. This moment was emotionally charged for both Helen and Annie, as it represented a major breakthrough in their communication and understanding of each other. Therefore, the play challenges the idea that learning the word "water" was a simple and straightforward process, and instead emphasizes the complexity and emotional significance of this moment for Helen and Annie.

Answer 2

The play builds on the idea that learning the word "water" triggered a memory for Helen. The excerpt shows that as Helen spells the word into her palm, there is a change in her face and some struggle in the depths behind it. This suggests that the word "water" had a deeper meaning for Helen, possibly because she had some memory or association with it from when she could hear. The play also shows that Helen's attempts to say the word are painful, as if she is trying to remember something buried under the debris. This emphasizes the significance of the word for Helen and suggests that her learning it was a profound moment. Overall, the play suggests that learning language was a key to unlocking Helen's memories and experiences.

Step-by-step explanation: