How do the structures of "It Sifts from Leaden Sieves" and "The Snow-Storm" affect the poems? The longer lines and stanzas in “The Snow-Storm” suggest the feelings of fear in those subjected to the storm; the shorter lines and stanzas in “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” suggest an eager approach and a love of the snow.

The shorter lines and stanzas in “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” suggest a very quiet and timid approach to the snowfall; the longer lines and stanzas in “The Snow-Storm” suggest a violent approach to a raging storm.

The longer lines and stanzas in “The Snow-Storm” suggest a very wind-driven, active snowfall and a more active response; the shorter lines and stanzas in “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” suggest a gentler snowfall and a gentler response.

The shorter lines and stanzas in “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” suggest a rush toward getting out in the snow; the longer lines and stanzas in “The Snow-Storm” suggest a long wait inside.

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.”

english novelist and poet, the eldest of the three brontë sisters who survived into adulthood and whose novels became classics of english literature.

she enlisted in school at roe head in january 1831, aged 14 years. she left the year after to teach her sisters, emily and anne, at home, returning in 1835 as a governess. in 1839 she undertook the role as governess for the sidgwick family, but left after a few months to return to haworth where the sisters opened a school, but failed to attract pupils. instead they turned to writing and they each first published in 1846 under the pseudonyms of currer, ellis and acton bell. her first novel the professor was rejected by publishers, her second novel jane eyre was published in 1847. the sisters admitted to their bell pseudonyms in 1848, and by the following year were celebrated in london literary circles.

brontë experienced the early deaths of all her siblings. she became pregnant shortly after her marriage in june 1854 but died on 31 march 1855, almost certainly from hyperemesis gravidarum, a complication of pregnancy which causes excessive nausea and vomiting.

explanation: