What advantages does Annie identify as she starts her job with the Keller family in Act 1 of The Miracle Worker?
Annie's lack of direct experience and her disability cause the Keller family to doubt her capabilities. However, Annie tells them her young age comes with energy, which, as the audience sees during the disastrous dinner table scene, she's going to need in spades. She also knows what it's like to be blind, having been virtually blind as a child, so she feels she can empathize with Helen in the way a person with sight cannot.
Annie's confidence in herself and in Helen's ability to learn are enough to mostly convince Mrs. Keller, but the men in the family remain highly skeptical, seeing Helen as nothing more than an animal. Annie's determination and tough love end up breaking through Helen's cloistered world.
When Anne Sullivan is met at the train station by Helen Keller's mother, Kate is immediately a bit concerned about Anne's youth; she doesn't know if Anne could possibly...
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have the experience and knowledge, at such a young age, to make a difference in Helen's situation. However, Annie reassures her that along with youth comes energy, which will be a very helpful asset in her work with Helen; Annie also reminds Kate that she (Annie) was once blind, and can thus sympathize more closely with Helen's disability on this front. The two women seem to be on a positive footing as they leave the train station, but a bit of dramaticirony is noticeable to someone familiar with Helen's story; she has been allowed to run roughshod over everyone for so long, that Annie's work is going to require a bit more than youthful energy and an appreciation of what it is like to be blind.
In The Miracle Worker, what three advantages does Annie claim to have?
Kate is surprised by Annie's youth. She is also understandably concerned because Annie has never taught before. James suggests that Annie may end up being a burden on the family, and Captain Keller is shocked when he hears that Annie herself was once blind: "The blind teaching the blind?"
Annie seeks to reassure Katie that even though she (Annie) is young and relatively inexperienced, she has three important advantages over any other teacher.
1. She is young and has energy. This will be vital for dealing with a student with the emotional issues and physical strength of Helen.
2. She is smart and has studied the research. Annie was taught in one of the most progressive schools for the blind of the time. She has experienced the success of their techniques personally and has looked deep into the research behind the techniques.
3. Annie has been blind and has empathy for Helen. Annie understands the difficulties and emotional toll of being blind. She knows how to empathize without pitying. Helen has been spoiled by too much pity and indulgence. Annie knows that that kind of treatment is the worst thing for Helen.