The Real Helen Keller
The director of the documentary, Ann Pugh, brings out another side of the world-famous Hellen Keller. According to the documentary, Keller is not only a little deaf and blind girl. There is an intrinsic force in her that attributes to her triumph over the physical and mental challenges. The documentary focuses on the icon’s growth by striving to reveal the type of woman behind the myths in society and public scrutiny.
The documentary demonstrates how Hellen Keller fought public image. Constant improvements in her cognition and interaction with the environment invited the public, which did not blend well with Keller’s personality. The documentary depicts Keller as a flesh-and-blood woman; she fought the disabilities and fought public scrutiny and opinions. Pugh explains how Keller was in constant surveillance by the FBI. Besides, the documentary portrays Keller as a talented creative writer and a socialist.
The documentary demonstrates how the Hollywood film, The Miracle Worker, shines because of portraying Hellen Keller as a miracle child fighting through impossible situations, yet Keller was against that image. The producer and director take the viewers to Keller’s unknown truth, away from the public gaze.
The Miracle Worker
The Hollywood film by William Gibson takes the viewers to the background of Hellen Keller. The play dwells on how Keller fought through her illness that left her blind and deaf. Additionally, the play elaborates on how Hellen’s family was torn apart because of their young daughter’s condition. Hellen’s inability to communicate led to more frustrations in the family, especially when she destroyed household items. The producer explains how the family was frustrated yet in sympathy for their sister and daughter; thus, she was never disciplined despite her destructive behaviors.
According to the movie, Hellen’s condition was deteriorating, and the family was losing hope by day. The parents had nothing but love for their daughter; even when her behavior was extreme, punishment or showing disappointment was not an option. Hellen’s reactions, mostly bad behavior, were rewarded with food and any items that could distract her from the behavior. The film demonstrates how and why peace was a priority for family members.
The movie depicts Hellen as an angry and frustrated young girl because of her situation; the inabilities and sympathy from family worsened her esteem hence the stubbornness. According to Gibson’s film, finding Annie Sullivan, a young teacher, gave hope to the family. However, the results were not immediate, and the family got disappointed for a while because Hellen was not responding. The movie depicts Annie as a confident young woman because she experienced life challenges at a tender age. Annie had also lost her vision earlier but had corrective surgery and recovered.
William Gibson attributes the close relationship between Hellen and Annie as a significant contributor to the turn of events, in making Hellen a victor. The decision to move Hellen out of her parents’ house was the beginning of her acceptance journey to courage and confidence. Annie is the miracle worker.
The two movies are insightful, considering they are based on a true story. There is a lot to learn about interpersonal relationships; how attention and patience can change the world. Hellen’s life was hopeless until she met Annie, who was committed to understand and help her from the basics of communication.
Work Cited
The Miracle Worker ( 1962)
The real Helen Keller