1a. What does Helen do at the breakfast table? How do the Kellers react? How does Annie react?
2a. What does Helen finally do after being in the dining room with Annie all morning?
3a. Why does Annie want to live with Helen in the garden house? How does Annie get Helen to let her touch her again?
4a. Compare Annie's attitude toward and treatment of Helen to that of the Kellers. What conflict arises because of these differences?
5a. Evaluate the tactics Annie uses to teach Helen in the dining room. Are these normal teaching methods? Do you think Annie makes wise choices about teaching Helen?
1b. Why do the Kellers permit Helen's behavior at the table?
2b. Are the specific things that Helen did important? What do her actions signify about her and about Annie?
3b. Is Annie confident her plan will work? Explain why you think it will or will not work.
4b. Summarize Annie's philosophy about teaching the disabled.
5b. What would happen if your teacher used some of the methods Annie Sullivan used with Helen?
Stage Directions. Why does this play rely so heavily on stage directions rather than dialogue? Examine the scene in the dining room. If Helen were a hearing, speaking child being taught manners, how might this scene have been written?
Flashback. Find two flashbacks in this act. What do these flashbacks tell you about Annie?
Antonyms. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. For example, happy and sad are antonyms. Write antonyms for the following vocabulary words.
1. compel =
2. impertinent =
3. interminable =
4. irresolute =
5. laborious =
6. proffer =
7. relinquish =
8. vexedly =
9. wry =
10. zeal =
Adding Colorful Language to Sentences. Read the Language Arts Survey 3.37, "Adding Colorful Language to Sentences." Then rewrite the following sentences, making the sentences more interesting to the reader.
1. Helen threw a tantrum.
2. Annie gave Helen a doll.
3. They stared at each other.
4. Helen held a baby chick.
5. Helen touches each person's plate.
6. The maid serves breakfast.
7. The breakfast includes eggs, sausage, and pancakes.
8. Helen learns to eat politely.
9. Annie lived in an asylum.
10. Annie wants to teach Helen in a cottage.
