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

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.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.How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?

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 insists, and HELEN gets rid of ANNIE’S hand by jabbing it with the needle. ANNIE gasps and moves to grip HELEN’S wrist; but KATE intervenes with a proffered sweet, and HELEN drops the card, crams the sweet into her mouth, and scrambles up to search her mother’s hands for more.)How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?

Read this scene from The Miracle Worker Act 2.[ANNIE:] Good, girl.(She 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. ANNIE watches, pleased.)Very good girl—(Whereupon HELEN elevates the pitcher and dashes it on the floor instead. ANNIE leaps to her feet and stands inarticulate; HELEN calmly gropes back to the sewing card and needle.ANNIE manages to achieve self-control. She picks up a fragment or two of the pitcher, sees HELEN is puzzling over the card, and resolutely kneels to demonstrate it again. She spells into HELEN’S hand.KATE meanwhile coming around the corner with folded sheets on her arm, halts at the doorway and watches them for a moment in silence; she is moved, but level.)Which element of the setting establishes the time period and advances the action?

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?

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 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 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 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 scene from The Miracle Worker Act 3.(Now HELEN begins groping, sensing something, trembling herself; and KATE, falling one step in onto her knees, clasps her, kissing her. HELEN clutches her, tight as she can. KATE is inarticulate, choked, repeating HELEN’S name again and again. She wheels with her in her arms, to stumble away out the doorway. . . .)How do these stage directions add meaning to the play?