MovieChat Forums > The Miracle Worker (1962) Discussion > Indoors/Outdoors

Indoors/Outdoors

posted 14 years ago by Rupert_Pupkin1
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Annie appeared to be uncomfortable outdoors because of her eye condition (showing resistance to the sun in the train) and possibly because she learned to survive indoors during her childhood. Most of her interaction with Helen prior to the end occured indoors, with mixed results. I don't know how accurate the events on screen are, but it would seem to me that more time outdoors would have hastened Helen's learning path.

This was my first viewing for 5 years and the film wasn't as good as i remember. I appreciate the choices made, but the desperate struggle as depicted made for constricted and monotonous viewing. I couldn't relate to Annie's relentless dedication and i thought more time was needed to develop what motivated her. I would have liked to see more learning after the water pump scene as it was just the beginning of the work Helen needed to do.

"You get me the real money, and i'll bring you the real diamonds."

[–] SimplemindedSociety 14 years ago

'but it would seem to me that more time outdoors would have hastened Helen's learning path.'
' couldn't relate to Annie's relentless dedication'
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Because it's based on a play and not a 6 hour mini-series. The indoors/outdoors had no "hastening"-factor.
Her dedicaton was that it was her job, and she actually cared for Helen's welfare,a fellow human being. Does that sum up your pseudo-intellectual analysis?

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 14 years ago

Not sufficient enough. First of all, what i wrote was "i couldn't relate to her relentless dedication". Of course i understood that she was dedicated and concerned about Helen's welfare. That would be obvious to any viewer. What is less obvious is why she was so dedicated, for such a long period of time, when someone else in her position wouldn't have been. What from her past motivated her to be so dedicated towards Helen despite her constant resistance? What made her believe that she could transform her? Why was she so resilient? The film and Annie don't provide enough insight into those questions, and since most viewers cannot empathize with her efforts, it should have offered more explanations.

You cannot answer those questions and you are therefore the pseudo-intellectual, offering superficial answers because you thought the film was "inspiring" although you couldn't relate to the events.

"You get me the real money, and i'll bring you the real diamonds."

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] elena-28 14 years ago

For me it has a lot to do with the memories of her brother Jimmy: even before meeting Helen, Annie says to Mr. Anagnos that she feels God owes her a resurrection, and a lot of the flashbacks come on the heels of an encounter with Helen, or have some kind of connection to a scene with Helen.

I think she also identifies with Helen as a disabled person, with cards stacked against her, and who is stronger and more intelligent that she's being allowed to be or permitted to be. Remember that the Kellers tell Annie they were considering putting Helen away in a place not much better than Tewkesbury.

And there's also a challenge in Helen that sparks Annie's stubborn soul ("She simply won't be led" (or words to that effect) Mrs. Keller says to Annie, who replies: "Yes, I'm a little that way myself."). And there's also the education she's received at Perkins and the idea of "disinterring" a human soul.

So for me, there are several good and strong reasons for Annie to dedicate herself to Helen -- on top of all of them is that she finds affection at the end, and the courage to accept it.

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 14 years ago

Thank you. Instead of watching the film again i will read the biography of Anne Sullivan.

"Throw out all that psychological mess."

[–] zappalover 14 years ago

Great post and insight from elena-28 above, IMHO. I’m old enough to remember when developmentally disabled persons were warehoused in institutions, accompanied by strong mixed feelings of guilt and relief for parents and other family members. This loomed large in the background of the film's story. Futhermore, in 1962, many children with disabilities were still being institutionalized who would not be institutionalized today, for example, with deafness, epilepsy or cerebral palsy.