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The Miracle Worker (2000) - Coggle Diagram
The Miracle Worker (2000)
Helen
Keller
Language and Agency
The lack of recognized language also strips away one's independence and agency.
"Water!" was when Helen first recognized the meaning of the word. She therefore claimed the understanding of a subject by her own thoughts, not imposed by others.
Helen's tantrum which cannot express meaning makes her parents assume her intentions, which ultimately limits her agency due to misunderstanding in communication.
Language Ideologies
Language works as a multifunctional tool: it isn't only for communicative purposes but allows one to form human connections and to express emotions.
"Teacher" and "Mother" said by Helen now allows the communication to go in bidirectional ways. Her words allow a response, thereby forming a more human connection between her and Anne/mother.
Language Endangerment
If there are no users of the language, the language is ultimately faced by extinction, no matter what written record remains after.
Anne to Kate: "You speak to her even if you know she doesn't understand"
This emphasized the barrier that Helen and Kate encountered, and how the sign language Helen learnt was for no use when the other end cannot understand it.
"Water" "Teacher" "Mother" - These are words that Helen finally understood through sign language. Kate could learn this thanks to Anne, not from written record, and the only purpose behind it is to communicate with Helen, which ultimately shows that language exists because of the users.
Anne Sullivan
Language, Gender & Sexuality + Agency
While Anne mainly takes the role of a “teacher”, she is still highlighted as an employee under a workforce. Her tone, phrases, and wordings in her speech shows how she goes against the 2000s gender norms and subtle power dynamics(of obeying to men). This way, she also positions herself at equal level and asserts agency over her work.
“I am not here to be liked. I am here to teach her.”
“If you want to fire me, then fire me. But don’t tell me how to do my job.”
“I’ve survived worse than this. Don’t think I’m fragile.”
Language Ideologies
Language is a multifunctional tool, not only as a communicative medium but also for constructing personal identity.
“I want her to think. Without language she has no way to know who she is.”
“The greatest tragedy is not blindness but the lack of language.”
“Obedience is not enough. She must understand.”
Arthur H. Keller
Language ideologies
Language is a tool to maintain and follow pre-established social order (especially regarding gender norms) and discipline, while communication should be controlled and ordered.
“I will not have chaos at this table.”
“Mind your tone, Miss Sullivan.”
“You’ll treat my family with respect (through speech), Miss Sullivan.”
Language and class
Arthur believes that language forms directly reflect the class the user is positioned in, and also vice versa, that people should use forms appropriate to their class.
“This is a civilized home, Miss Sullivan.”
“We do not raise children like that in this house.” directing towards Anne's blunt behavior.
Kate Adams Keller
Language, Gender & Sexuality
Kate's use of language is a direct contrast to Anne's displaying the dynamic relationship between language and agency (oppressed by gender norms): Kate's agency is restricted due to gender norms, while Anne uses agency to against the norms.
"Yes, Captain"
“Please, Arthur… for Helen’s sake.”
"She's your daughter too, but you always know the best" (to Arthur)
Language Ideology
Language is heavily connected with one's emotional state and must be a tool used to find comfort.
When Anne was harsh with Helen to help her develop language, Kate stood against it because it seemed to stress Helen and told Anne that "she is completely fine the way she is"
"She's just a baby, Anne"
"You're too harsh with her"
“Just let her come to me. She needs her mother.”
