What is the figurative meaning of the excerpt? the bird’s cage has been placed so that it overlooks a cemetery. the bird’s cage is so small that it cramps his wings and feet. the caged bird has had his hope destroyed. the caged bird is thinking very serious thoughts.

C. The caged bird has had his hope destroyed.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams  his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream  his wings are clipped and his feet are tied  so he opens his throat to sing.

sthe miracle worker  ▾search

home  >   study guides  >   the miracle worker

the miracle worker themeswilliam gibson

themes and meanings

(comprehensive guide to drama)

print  print  document  pdf  list  cite  link  link

there are two central themes in  the miracle worker: that the human spirit can triumph over even the most daunting of disabilities and that a dedicated teacher can transform the lives of those with whom he or she comes into contact. these inspirational themes have long been personified in the widely known true-life relationship between helen keller and annie sullivan, but  the miracle worker  also dramatizes collateral issues that extend beyond the particular case. underlying helen’s process of learning basic principles of what annie terms “obedience” (decorum, etiquette, and hygiene), there are more universal lessons of self-governance—the inculcation of self-restraint instead of willfulness, the development of self-discipline instead of self-indulgence. only when these lessons have been mastered can helen begin to acquire language—which, annie says, “is to the mind more than light is to the eye.”