During her time with Helen, Annie spells word after word after word into Helen's hand. After much conflict and struggle, the little girl learns the alphabet, even spelling in her sleep, but she does not make the connection between the letters and the meanings of the words. This is the breakthrough Annie fights to achieve in order to unlock Helen's mind. She is working, however, in her own kind of darkness, desperate to save Helen from her prison but insecure in her own ability to do so. And so she spells for Helen, over and over, telling Kate Keller that a million words might be required for Helen to comprehend the meaning of the first one.
Time runs out for Annie toward the play's dramatic conclusion. Helen is to be taken back into her family's life, without having comprehended the meaning of a word, sentencing her to a life isolation, unable to communicate with the world. The Kellers reassure Annie that she has accomplished a great deal with their daughter. Helen is better behaved, "manageable, cleaner." Annie explodes in frustration, trying to make them understand what she has been fighting for--for Helen:
Cleanliness is next to nothing, she has to learn that everything has its name! That words can be her eyes, to everything in the world outside her, and inside too, what is she without words? And they're in her fingers now, I need only time to push one of them into her mind! One, and everything under the sun will follow.
Annie knew that comprehending the meaning of one word would bring Helen into the world and that language would give her life back to her. Through her passion and total dedication to Helen, Annie succeeds in teaching Helen language. Words did become Helen's eyes, guiding her through a remarkable life.
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