Helen's teacher, Annie Sullivan, receives a salary of
twenty-five dollars a month (Act I, Scene 3).
Annie has
been living at the Perkins Institute in Boston, where she has recovered partial sight
after having been rendered blind by trachoma. She has been recommended to the Kellers as
a "suitable governess" for Helen, and is preparing to depart for the Kellers' home in
Alabama. Annie is a feisty, strong-willed individual, prone to speaking her mind even
when exercising tact would be more acceptable. As Mr. Aganos, Annie's counselor at
Perkins, briefs her about Helen and the job to which she is going, he cautions her to
use more discretion in situations than she has in the past. He tells
her,
"Annie,
be - humble...it is not as if you have so many offers to pick and
choose."
The salary which
Annie is being offered is actually quite generous, but Mr. Aganos warns her that her job
will be difficult. He says,
"No one expects you to
work miracles, even for twenty-five dollars a month."
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