Elements of Drama in The Miracle Worker, Acts II and III Answers

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.The only room visible in the KELLER house is ANNIE’S, where by lamplight ANNIE in a shawl is at a desk writing a letter; at her bureau HELEN in her customary unkempt state is tucking her doll in the bottom drawer as a cradle, the contents of which she has dumped out, creating as usual a fine disorder.ANNIE mutters each word as she writes her letter, slowly, her eyes close to and almost touching the page, to follow with difficulty her penwork.ANNIE: ". . . and, nobody, here, has, attempted, to, control, her. The, greatest, problem, I, have, is, how, to, discipline, her, without, breaking, her, spirit.”(Resolute voice) "But, I, shall, insist, on, reasonable, obedience, from, the, start—”(At which point HELEN, groping about on the desk, knocks over the inkwell. ANNIE jumps up, rescues her letter, rights the inkwell, grabs a towel to stem the spillage, and then wipes at HELEN’S hands. . . .)Which setting detail establishes the time period and advances the action?

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.([ANNIE] lets HELEN feel the smile on her face. HELEN sits with a scowl, which suddenly clears; she pats the doll, kisses it, wreathes her face in a large artificial smile, and bears the doll to the washstand, where she carefully sits it.)How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?

Read this excerpt from a play.(The scene opens on a room full of people. There are photographs lining the table, and each one shows the same person at various stages of life. There are pictures of him as a young boy, other pictures of him on athletic teams, family pictures, and a graduation picture. That same young man stands in the middle of the room, shaking hands with an adult. He then turns to address the group.)JESSE: (loudly) Thank you so much for coming. I am so glad you could all be here today. This is too much. (He looks around, indicating the streamers, balloons, and cake.)GUEST: We wouldn’t miss it! We heard there would be cake. . . .JESSE: There is! But first, I want to thank all of you for the support you’ve given me throughout school. You’ve helped me study, earn money, and stay out of trouble, and finish school. (He pauses, stepping in front of the table and looking at his parents.) I could never have done it without you.Which setting detail reveals the celebratory mood?

Read this excerpt from a play.(The scene reveals a school auditorium in Anytown, USA. The lights begin to dim. Students slide to the front of their chairs, craning their necks toward the stage. All eyes work to refocus in the dim light. Sounds of movement can be heard from behind the curtain. A muffled cymbal is heard, as though an instrument has been bumped in the shuffle.)NARRATOR: May I have your attention please?JUAN: (He is seated in the middle of a crowded row, and he leans to speak to his friend.) I wish they would just come on, already.KEV: (whispering) They introduce this show the same way every year.Which setting detail best reveals the mood of suspense?

Read this excerpt from a play.(The scene begins aboard a whale-watching boat. Many students slouch on benches, others lean lazily on ferry railings. A few students thumb through shiny brochures, shaking their heads and grumbling quietly.)GREGOR: This is not what I expected.OMAR: Yeah. Whale watching? More like wave watching. What a rip off.(OMAR turns to a whale picture in his brochure and holds it up to the group. A few heads nod, but it is not the reaction he hoped for. He retreats to a quiet bench. A splash a few yards out in the water stirs the group, and many rise.)GREGOR: That’s more like it. Guys, c’mere. Look here, just below the surface. (Students lean forward, many pull phones and cameras from their coat pockets.)Which setting detail advances the action of the scene?

Read this excerpt from a play.(The stage lights illuminate a classroom. Tidy rows of desks face a wood stove, a chalkboard, and a teacher’s desk. Piles of books and papers adorn the teacher’s desk. A young girl and teacher are speaking quietly.)TEACHER: The primary children are studying poetry this afternoon, and I need your assistance. (She gathers a stack of textbooks and hands them to her student.) Please choose a few poems and have the children read along with you.MARGO: (She reaches for a book) Yes, ma’am. I always enjoy reading to the young ones.(MARGO retreats to a chair by the window and begins flipping through a book. Two boys sit nearby, giggling about a picture that one of them has drawn.)Which setting detail reveals the time period?

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 2.(She drops her eyes to spell into HELEN’S hand, again indicating the card; HELEN spells back, and ANNIE is amused.)KATE [TOO QUICKLY]: What did she spell?ANNIE: I spelled card. She spelled cake!(She takes in KATE’S quickness and shakes her head, gently.)No, it’s only a finger game to her, Mrs. Keller. What she has to learn first is that things have names.KATE: And when will she learn?ANNIE: Maybe after a million and one words.(They hold each other’s gaze; KATE then speaks quietly.)KATE: I should like to learn those letters, Miss Annie.What does the dialogue reveal about Kate?

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 2.KATE: I’m sorry, Miss Annie.ANNIE [INDIGNANTLY]: Why does she get a reward? For stabbing me?KATE: Well—(Then, tiredly)We catch our flies with honey, I’m afraid. We haven’t the heart for much else, and so many times she simply cannot be compelled.ANNIE [OMINOUS]: Yes. I’m the same way myself.Based on the dialogue, which statement best describes Kate?

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 3.KELLER: Miss—Annie.(He has an envelope in his fingers.)I’ve been waiting to give you this.ANNIE [AFTER A BREATH]: What?KELLER: Your first month’s salary.(He puts it in her hand.)With many more to come, I trust. It doesn’t express what we feel, it doesn’t pay our debt. For what you’ve done.Based on the dialogue, which statement best describes Keller?

Read this excerpt from The Miracle Worker Act 2.KATE: But does that—(She imitates with her fingers.)—mean that to her?ANNIE: No. No, she won’t know what spelling is till she knows what a word is.KATE: Yet you keep spelling to her. Why?ANNIE [CHEERILY]: I like to hear myself talk!KATE: The Captain says it’s like spelling to the fence post.Annie [A PAUSE]: Does he, now.KATE: Is it?What does the dialogue reveal about Kate?