Examining Conflict in the Miracle Worker- Answer Key

Examining Conflict in The Miracle Worker- Answer Key

Directions: Analyze the various conflicts in the play and determine whether or not these conflicts are likely to reoccur in the story. This is critical to comprehending the story. Follow the bulleted steps to complete the chart below.

 Locate the conflict reference in the first column and summarize the conflict in the appropriate space.

 Indicate whether the conflicts are internal or external.

 Explain how the conflict is resolved.

 Indicate on a scale of 0– 4 (0 being the lowest and 4 being the highest) the likelihood that this conflict will reoccur in the story.

Page # / Conflict / Type of Conflict / Resolution / Will the conflict reoccur?
8–10
(4-6) / Helen tackles Martha and grabs the scissors after Martha tries to stop Helen from biting her fingers. Kate struggles to get the scissors away from Helen. / __ Internal
_X_ External: / Kate Keller pulls Helen off of Martha and Martha runs away. Kate makes Helen treat the scissors like a doll, and she points Helen toward the house. Helen gives up the scissors and heads toward the house. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!
11–top of 14
(6-8) / Aunt Ev and Kate ask Dr. Keller to write a letter to a doctor in Baltimore, but Capt. Keller doesn’t want to. James suggests that Helen be put away in an asylum. Kate and Aunt Ev disagree / __ Internal
_X_ External: / Capt. Keller states that the doctor can’t help Helen. He rises and collects his papers to leave the room. Capt. Keller tells James to be quiet. James stalks out of the room. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!
14–16
(9-11) / Helen tips Mildred out of the cradle. Capt. Keller and Kate argue about how to discipline Helen. During the argument, Helen becomes frustrated and slaps and kicks Kate. / __ Internal
_X_ External: / Capt. Keller agrees to write the letter to the doctor in Baltimore. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!

Part II

Directions: Work with a partner or with your group to complete the chart based on an analysis of the passages indicated.

Page # / Conflict / Type of Conflict / Resolution / Will the conflict reoccur?
22
(15) / Annie has a flashback and hears Jimmie’s voice. / _X_ Internal
__ External: / Annie’s memory is interrupted by Mr. Anagnos calling her. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!
31–33
(26-28) / Anne and Capt. Keller struggle over carrying Annie’s suitcase. Capt. Keller expresses concerns about Annie to Kate. / __ Internal
_X_ External: / Annie tugs the suitcase free from Capt. Keller. Keller stares at her. Keller marches off after complaining to Kate. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!
36–middle of 39
(29-33) / Annie and Helen fight over the doll. / __ Internal
_X_ External: / Helen gets the doll back after she finger spells the letters for doll. The she hits Annie in the face with the doll and runs out of the room, locking Annie in the room. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!
middle of 39–top of 40
(34) / Annie has a flashback and hears Jimmie’s voice. / _X_ Internal
__ External: / Annie claps her hands over her ears to stop the voices. / 0 1 2 3 4
No Yes, it
chance! will
happen
again!