Collection 12
Opening Doors
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
—Laotzu
We come across many doors in a lifetime—doors into relationships, responsibilities, opportunities. If life is easy, the doors all open smoothly. If life is more difficult, we find that some doors require a lot of effort to open—some stay locked and bolted no matter how we pound at them. Often, even with those doors we struggle to open, we aren’t really sure what we’ll find on the other side.
But sometimes opening a door can change our lives. In this play, which is based on a true story, a young teacher tries to open a door that will give a little girl a fuller life. Behind the door, the little girl is locked out of the world of words. Behind that door, Helen is totally alone.
Writing Focus: Interpretive Essay
Writer’s Notebook
In the Writer’s Workshop found in this collection you’ll write an interpretation of The Miracle Worker. Before you start reading the play, think about its title and the theme of this collection: Opening Doors. In a few words, give your first impressions of what the title might mean and how it might relate to “opening doors.” Save your notes.
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