The water pump is shown and mentioned frequently in The Miracle Worker. What does it represent?
I know that this is Helen's favorite place, and it's where she finally learns the meaning of words but I can't get further than that...I have to write an interpretive essay on it so please help.
Thanks
-MC
The water pump is the link between what Helen remembered from her first year and a half of life. As a normal toddler, she understood many words and said a few of them. One of these words was "wahwah," water.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Miracle_Worker
In "The Miracle Worker," the water pump serves as a significant symbol that offers deeper insights into the themes and character development in the play. To understand its representation, let's break down the different layers of meaning associated with the water pump:
1. Source of Physical Comfort: The water pump is Helen Keller's favorite place because it provides her with physical comfort. Helen cannot see or hear, so she seeks sensory fulfillment through touch and taste. Water from the pump cools her, refreshes her, and satisfies her thirst. It serves as a space where she can find solace and connect with the tangible world.
2. Symbol of Isolation and Communication Barriers: The water pump is also a symbol of Helen's isolation and her inability to communicate. Initially, Helen lacks the ability to understand language or express herself effectively. The pump represents her detachment from others, as she is physically and emotionally cut off due to her disabilities. It highlights the communication barriers that Helen and those around her must overcome.
3. Catalyst for Transformation: As the play progresses, the water pump becomes a catalyst for transformative moments. When Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher, repeatedly spells "w-a-t-e-r" onto Helen's hand while simultaneously pumping water, Helen finally experiences her "eureka" moment. She starts connecting the word with the object, realizing the concept of language and communication. The water pump, in this sense, represents the breakthrough Helen achieves in bridging the gap between her world of darkness and isolation and the world of language and understanding.
4. Metaphor for Helen's Education Journey: The water pump can be seen as a metaphor for Helen's educational journey. Just as the water flows from the pump, knowledge pours into Helen's mind through Annie's guidance and teaching. The pump serves as a physical manifestation of Helen's intellectual growth and the unlocking of her potential.
In your interpretive essay, consider exploring these various dimensions of the water pump symbol. Discuss how the water pump represents both Helen's confinement and her liberation, using examples from the play to illustrate your points. Analyze the transformational impact of the water pump on Helen's language acquisition and her relationship with Annie. Furthermore, examine how the water pump symbolizes the triumph of human connection, resilience, and the power of education.
Remember to include evidence from the text to support your interpretations and analyze the significance of the symbol in relation to the broader themes and character development in "The Miracle Worker."