The Modern Drama collection theme is Opening Doors. Discuss examples of the ways in which doors and keys are used as symbols in The Miracle Worker. Make at least two references to specific details in the play to support your ideas.
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To discuss examples of how doors and keys are used as symbols in The Miracle Worker, we first need to understand their significance within the play.
In The Miracle Worker, which tells the story of Helen Keller, doors and keys serve as powerful symbols representing the barriers and possibilities of communication and understanding.
One significant reference can be found in Act 2, when Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher, locks Helen and herself in a secluded room. Annie does this to create a controlled environment where she can work with Helen without distractions. The locked door symbolizes the isolation Helen experiences as a result of her deafness and blindness. By locking the door, Annie underscores the importance of breaking the barriers that Helen faces in order to help her open new doors of communication.
Another reference is found in Act 3, when Helen learns to spell the word "water" with her fingers while Annie pumps water onto Helen's hand. This breakthrough moment is significant not only because it represents Helen's understanding of language but also because it is associated with the act of unlocking a door. By making the connection between the word and the sensation of water, Helen unlocks the door to language and communication. The key to this metaphorical door is the physical experience of water and the power of tactile communication.
In both instances, doors and keys are used symbolically to represent the barriers that Helen faces and the opportunities for growth and understanding that lie beyond them. This emphasizes the overarching theme of opening doors within The Miracle Worker.
In order to find and support these references, one can read or watch The Miracle Worker. The play, written by William Gibson, was first performed in 1957 and has since been adapted into a film and a television movie. By engaging with the play directly, you can analyze the dialogue and stage directions to identify specific instances where doors and keys are used symbolically. This will allow you to better understand the significance of these symbols and how they contribute to the overall themes of the play.