Point of View

Point of view is the perspective or viewpoint that a character or narrator has in a story. – May be stated directly, may have to be inferred from the words and actions of a character. Authors often give characters contrasting or different points of view to create conflict. A character’s point of view may or may not change throughout a story to help reveal the theme.

Act 3 In Act 2, Anne and Helen moved to a cottage so they could be alone for Anne to teach Helen. Helen has learned not to be so wild and to obey, but she still does not understand the meaning of the letters that Anne spells to her. In Act 3, Anne and Helen are returning and having a welcome back dinner with Captain Keller, Kate, James, and Aunt Ev.

Point of View Activity While reading Act 3 of The Miracle Worker, stop at the numbered sections to reflect on the point of view of that character and complete the organizer questions. Assign the following roles: – Stage Directions/Aunt Ev/Kate – Annie – James/Helen – Keller

CharacterDescribe the character’s p.o.v. on the situation or character How do you know (proof from text)? Did this character’s p.o.v. change? Does this p.o.v. contrast with another character? 1. Annie’s p.o.v. about Helen’s teaching 2. Keller’s p.o.v. about Annie’s teaching methods 3. James’s p.o.v. about Annie OR towards his father 4. Kate’s p.o.v. about Annie as the teacher 5. Helen’s p.o.v. about Annie as the teacher

CharacterDescribe the character’s p.o.v. on the situation or character How do you know (proof from text)? Did this character’s p.o.v. change? Does this p.o.v. contrast with another character? 1. Annie’s p.o.v. about Helen’s teaching She thinks Helen needs discipling and they shouldn’t give in to tantrums. “She will live up to what you demand of her.” No – she is constant throughout the drama. Yes – Kate and Keller both think she is too rough with Helen. 2. Keller’s p.o.v. about Annie’s teaching methods He thinks she is too strict and should give in. “I think some compromise is called for.” No – he never cared for Annie’s methods from the beginning. He supported her at some points, but could not accept her ways and stubbornness. Yes – Annie thinks he is being too soft. 3. James’s p.o.v. about Annie OR towards his father He agrees with Annie and finally stands up to his father about it. “She’s right, Kate’s right, I’m right, and you’re wrong.” Yes – he didn’t think Annie could help at first and he always caved in to his father. Yes – Keller, of course. 4. Kate’s p.o.v. about Annie as the teacher She is torn: happy that Helen has made a breakthrough, but jealous of the obvious relationship she now has with Anne. “Kate torn both ways turns away from this.” Yes – she was the only one who believed in Anne in the beginning. n/a 5. Helen’s p.o.v. about Annie as the teacher Helen now loves her teacher. “hand in hand they cross the yard” Yes – Helen could not stand her teacher in the beginning because Annie didn’t give in to her and held her to standards. n/a

Point of View Activity Using your graphic organizer from Act 3 and your copy of Act 1, create a Fakebook page for a character from The Miracle Worker. Draw a picture of the character and fill in their information, friends, and likes based on your readings of Act 1 and Act 3. Include four status updates to reveal how that character’s point of view changed or stayed the same throughout the drama. Include four comments from other characters that reveal how those characters have contrasting points of view.