Question

Please help. This is from the Miracle Worker and need help. I'm not good with these kinds of questions.

Annie comes out of the dining room and announces the outcome of the battle: "She's folded her napkin. . . . The room's a wreck, but her napkin is folded." Her statement goes beyond teaching Helen table manners. Discuss what Annie means when she says this.

Near the end of Act II, Annie says, "Now all I have to teach you is--one word. Everything." What does "one word" mean in relation to "everything"?

Answer 1

Well, she is saying it in almost a sarcastic manner. Because it is quiet obvious that one everything is one word, but one word isn't everything.

Answer 2

It seems to me--and I haven't read the play--that when someone says that under those circumstances, they are being witty, and probably not saying it in a mean way. If the person is taking the time to help, they probably have good intentions.

It seems like a humorous situation. I take it she wrecked the room while trying to fold the napkin. (This is of course The Unreliable Narrator--'cause of course we really didn't wreck the room.)

She means that they have their work cut out for them because if she has to teach her "everything," it means she doesn't know anything about the subject at hand.

Answer 3

Oh, I think I know what the play is about. Helen Keller, right?