Aunt Ev Character Analysis in The Miracle Worker

Aunt Ev is the sister of Captain Arthur Keller. A minor character in the play, she is nonetheless a staple character around the Keller household, taking care of Helen or making her dolls. Ev is the most proudly, self-consciously “Southern” character in the play: she objects to Annie Sullivan’s presence in the house on the grounds that she’s an arrogant Yankee. Ev is also skeptical of Annie’s aggressive teaching methods, arguing that Helen is “just a child” and should not be held accountable for her misbehavior.

Aunt Ev Character Timeline in The Miracle Worker

The timeline below shows where the character Aunt Ev appears in The Miracle Worker. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...sitting inside their home. Captain Arthur Keller sits at the table studying a newspaper while Aunt Ev sews a doll and a young man named James Keller sits by the window watching... (full context)

As Kate tries to pull Helen into the house, Aunt Ev murmurs, “Something ought to be done for that child.” She gives Helen the doll she’s... (full context)

Helen crawls over to Aunt Ev and pulls at the buttons on Ev’s dress. She’s annoyed, but then realizes what Helen... (full context)

The room goes dark. Meanwhile, Kate, Viney, Aunt Ev , Mildred, Percy, and Martha stand outside. Aunt Ev complains that she’s been waiting outside... (full context)

...on Helen’s lap, and when Helen throws it away again, Annie takes away Helen’s food. Aunt Ev objects that Helen is only a child, but Annie shoots back that Helen is testing... (full context)

...Helen out of the room, ordering Arthur, who has stood up angrily, to remain seated. Aunt Ev is astounded that Arthur would let Annie speak to him this way. But James agrees... (full context)

...no echoing voices. Very slowly, Kate sits down to the table, joining James and Arthur. Aunt Ev gets up to open the door, and Annie, holding Helen in her arms, walks up... (full context)