Chapter 1 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Helen felt some hesitation while writing her story. She thinks writing down autobiography is a hard task. It is not easy to present the
exact picture of childhood as she could not clearly distinguish between the facts and fancy as lots of years passed by. She had
forgotten many important events of her childhood in the process of learning new things.
Helen Keller was born on 27th June, 1880 in Tuscumbia, a little town of northern Alabama. She was eldest daughter of Arthur H.
Keller who was a captain in the Confederate Army and Kate Adams. Her fathers ancestors came from Switzerland and settled in
Maryland.
The beginning of her life was just like any other child. It was decided that she should be named after her grandmother but her father
lost her name on the way of church for baptism. When being asked he told her name Helen Adams and she got her name.
She could walk when she was a year old. Happy days were going but when she was nineteen months old she got ill. The doctor
identified illness as acute congestion of the stomach and brain. This illness took away her eyesight and her hearing ability. Gradually,
she got used to silence and darkness until her teacher came in her life.
Quick Revision Notes:
According to Helen, writing autobiography is difficult task as many important memories gets adulterated with fancy.
Helen was born on 27th June, 1880 in Tuscumbia, a little town of northern Alabama.
Her father, Arthur H. Keller was a captain in the Confederate Army and mother was Kate Adams.
She was born and raise just like normal child until a mysterious disease take away her eyesight and her hearing ability.

Chapter 2 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Helen didnt remember what happened to her during first months after her illness. She started identifying objects through hands.
After her sickness, she started using crude signs to communicate with others. She learned to fold and put away the clean clothes
were brought from the laundry and distinguished her own from the rest. She also knew that she always begged her mother and aunt
to go out with them. Gradually, she realized that she was different from other people because she used signs to communicate with
other whereas other talked with their mouths. She was a naughty child.
She became friend with a little-coloured girl Martha Washington, the daughter of her cook. Martha understood Helens signs without
any difficulty. Helen always pressurizes her and made her do what she wanted to do. Both together, spent a lot of time in the kitchen,
kneading dough balls, making ice-cream, grinding coffee, quarreling over the cake bowl and feeding hens and turkeys. They also
hunt for the eggs in the long grass.
Once while drying her wet apron before the fire, she ended up getting too close to the fire. Suddenly, the apron caught fire. She
made terrified noise which was heard by her old nurse who came and rescues her by throwing a blanket over her.
With the passage of time, she learnt to use a key. She played a prank on her mother by locking her in the pantry. She also played
this same prank on her teacher Anne Sullivan when she arrived.
Her family which consists of her father, mother, two older half-brothers and later a little sister.
Helens father was loving and indulgent. He was a good hunter and famous story-teller. He used to spell words into her hand and
she had to repeat them. Her father was editor a newspaper which she knew later. Her father expired in the summer of 1896 when
she was enjoying in the North. This was her first personal experience with death.
She was jealous of her little sister, Mildred as she felt that her sister get all attention of her mother and she felt neglected. One day,

when her little sister was sleeping in the cradle, Helen overturned the cradle but her mother caught the little baby as she fell. When
they grew up a little older, they became friends however, her sister could not understand her finger language.
Quick Revision Notes:
After illness, Helen started using crude signs to communicate.
She became friend with a little coloured girl Martha Washington, the daughter of her cook.
She learned to use key played a prank on her mother by locking her in the pantry and later played same prank on her teacher.
Her family which consists of her father, mother, two older half-brothers and later a little sister.
She was jealous of her little sister, Mildred as she felt that her sister get all attention of her mother.

Chapter 3 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

With the passage of time, Helen desires to express herself grew. Few signs she used to communicate became less and less
adequate. She felt helpless and miserable. Her parents were in sorrow and confused. There was no school for the blind or the deaf
in Tuscumbia where they lived. Her mother came across Dickens American Notes in which it was written about Laura Bridgman
who was deaf and blind and still got educated by Dr. Howe but he had died long ago and his method of teaching probably died with
him.
Helens father heard about Dr. Chisholm, a famous eye surgeon who lived in Baltimore who had successful in several cases. He took
her to Baltimore. Helen enjoyed the journey of the train. She did not experience any fits of temper during her journey as there were
so many things to keep her mind and fingers busy.
They met Dr. Chisholm but he did no good to her. The doctor advised them to consult Dr. Alexander Graham Bell who can give her
proper education. They went to Washington where they met Dr. Bell. He examined her with sympathy. The doctor advised her father
to write to Mr. Anagnos, Director of the Perkins Institute in Boston. Her father wrote to the director and within a few week, he got
positive reply from him that a competent teacher had been found. This was summer of 1886 but Anne Sullivan, her teacher did not
arrive until the following march who took Helen from darkness to light.
Quick Revision Notes:
As Helen desire to express herself grew, she felt herself helpless and miserable which also made her parents confused.
There was no school for the blind or the deaf in Tuscumbia where they lived.
He Father took her to Baltimore and met Dr. Chisholm, a famous eye surgeon but he did no good to her and advised them to
consult Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.
Dr. Bell advised her father to write a letter to Mr. Anagnos, Director of the Perkins Institute.
Her father wrote and got positive reply from the institute that they found suitable teacher.

Chapter 4 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

On the third March of 1887, Miss Anne Sullivan arrived at Keller familys house. Helen was six years and nine months old at that
time. On the day of arrival of Miss Anne, busy activities were happening in the house indicated to her that something unusual was
going to happen.
Miss Sullivan gave Helen a doll which was a gift from the little blind students of the Perkins Institute and was dressed by Laura
Bridgeman. When she was playing with it, the teacher spelled d.o.l.l. on her hand. Helen imitates it and felt extreme proud.
Gradually, she was able to spell many words such as pin, hat, cup, sit, stand and walk. It took several weeks for Helen to realize that
everything has a name. The teacher explained her that mug and water are different words but she was confused between the two. In
rage, she broke her doll on the floor. She felt neither sorrow nor regret for the fragments.
Sullivan took her to the well-house and placed her one hand under the spout of water and spelled into the other hand the word,
w.a.t.e.r. Now, everything is clear before her. On returning, she tried to put the fragments of doll together. She wept on what she had
done. With the passage of time, she learned many new words that day including father, mother sister.
Quick Revision Notes:
Miss Sullivan arrived at Keller familys house on the third March of 1887 when Helen was just six years and nine months old.
She gave a doll to Helen which was gift from the little blind students of the Perkins Institute.
Miss Sullivan taught her to spell many words such as doll, pin, hat etc. and explained the difference between mug and water words.

Chapter 5 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

This chapter contains the description of Helens experiences during the summer of 1887. She continued exploring objects with her
hands. She learned name of many objects. Her knowledge about the world was increasing day by day.
The teacher took her to the banks of the Tennessee River. Helen got the first lessons of nature there. She learned how nature works
such as how the sun and the rain help the plant in growing, how birds build their nests, how animals get food. She felt the beauty of
nature.
One day while travelling, they stopped under a tree which was short distance from her house. Her teacher helped Helen to climb up
a tree. They decided to have lunch there so, Miss Sullivan went to house to fetch the food. Suddenly, the weather changed and a
thunderstorm started which created fear in Helen. Trees started to swing. She was afraid that she would fall but Miss Sullivan arrived
at that moment and helped her down. This time she came to know about another face of nature which was not very beautiful. Nature
is also destructive.
After this experience, she climbed another tree after a long time. One day, she was lured to climb a Mimosa tree by its beautiful
fragrance. She could not resist and climb the branches of the tree. She kept on climbing higher and higher until she reached a little
seat somebody had built there. She spent many happy hours there.
Quick Revision Notes:
Helen continued her exploration with her hands and started increasing knowledge day by day.
She learnt about the working of nature and experienced its beauty on banks of the Tennessee River with her teacher.
One day, Helen and her teacher decided to do lunch under tree. Her teacher went to fetch the lunch and helped Helen in climbing
the tree.
But weather changed suddenly and thunderstorm appeared. She feared but soon teacher came and helped her in getting down.
By this incident, she understood that nature is also destructive.

Chapter 6 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Learning language is a slow and painful process for a deaf and blind person but the result is wonderful. Helen had learned many
words and her area of inquiry broadened. She returned to the subject again and again for further information.
One day Helen brought violets to her teacher. Miss Sullivan tried to kiss her but she did not like it so, Sullivan put her arm around
Helen to show her affection and spelled into her hand, I love Helen. Love was a new word for Helen so she asked her the
meaning of love. Miss Sullivan pointed towards her heart and told her that love is here. But Miss Sullivan could not show her what
love is.
After some days, Helen was arranging the beads in a symmetrical pattern but found it difficult. Miss Sullivan touched her forehead
and spelled Think on her hand. She understood that the word is the name of the process going on in her mind. This was her first
conscious perception of an abstract idea. Later, her teacher explained that love cannot be touched but you can feel the sweetness
that love pours into everything. Without love a person would not be happy or want to play.
Miss Sullivan encouraged her to participate in the conversation which was a difficult task for deaf and blind. Miss Sullivan also
provided her several words and idioms to express Helens thoughts by spelling into her hand. This process continued for several
years and gradually she came on the right track.
Quick Revision Notes:

Despite learning language is difficult task for deaf and blind, Helen learnt many words and broadened her are of enquiry.
Miss Sullivan tried to explain the meaning of love to her but she fail to understand.
Miss Sullivan made Helen understood the word think and later also explained about love.
Miss Sullivan encouraged her to participate in the conversation and provided various support in doing this.

Chapter 7 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Once Helen could spell a few words, her teacher gave her slips of cardboard with raised letters printed on them. She quickly learned
that each printed word stood for an object, an act or a quality. She had a frame in which she arranged letters to form words and then
make them into sentences. The printed slips were a step towards the printed books. She was given a book Reader for beginners in
which she hunted for the words she knew. Miss Sullivan had great power of description which made Helen easily understood.
They read and studied outdoors mostly and used different objects from nature to understand the concepts. Her favourite walk was to
the Kellers Landing, an old wharf on the Tennessee River. Miss Sullivan taught her Geography in an interesting manner. She built
dams with pebbles, made islands and lakes, and dug river-beds. Miss Sullivan also taught her arithmetic, botany and zoology in
same leisurely manner.
A gentleman gifted Helen a collection of fossils. With the help of those fossils, Miss Sullivan explained her about prehistoric
creatures.
Another time a beautiful shell was given to her which helped her to learn about the habitat of the marine animals. Miss Sullivan
taught her the growth of a plant by making observations on a growing lily plant kept on the window.
Miss Sullivan was a genius teacher for her. She showed sympathy and love for Helen. She made education easy and interesting for
her. Helen developed great intimacy with her teacher.

Quick Revision Notes:

After Helen spelled few words, her teacher given slips of cardboard with raised letters to her and later, she learnt to read a book
named Reader for beginners.
Miss Sullivan taught her all the concepts of geography, arithmetic, botany and zoology in playful ways.
She learned about the various prehistoric creatures through fossils and also about marine animals.
Miss Sullivan proved to be great teacher for her.

Chapter 8 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

This chapter contains the descriptions of first Christmas Eve after the arrival of Miss Sullivan. Everyone in the family was planning
surprises for Helen. Helen was also preparing her surprises with her teacher. They kept up a guessing game which taught Helen
more about the use of language. They played the guessing game every evening which grew more and more interesting with each
day.
On Christmas Eve, the Tuscumbia schoolchildren had their decorated tree to which they invited Helen. She was delighted when she
was asked to hand the presents to the children. Helen was giving gifts to others but also wanted to know what she was to receive on
that Eve.
Helen could not sleep properly that night. In the morning, when she got up she found a lot of gifts for her. She was most delighted by
her teachers gift which is a canary.
Helen named the bird as Tim. Her teacher taught her to take all the care of the bird. One day she left the cage on the window and
the bird fell a prey to a cat. She understood that she would never see her sweet singer again.
Quick Revision Notes:
During the first Christmas after the arrival of Miss Sullivan, she played the guessing game every evening and learned a more use
of language.
She was invited by the Tuscumbia school children on the Christmas Eve. She went and hand the gifts to the children.
When she woke next morning, she found a lot of gifts near her.
Miss Sullivan gave her a canary in the gift which ultimately fell a pray to a cat.

Chapter 9 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

In May 1888, Helen visited Boston with Miss Sullivan and her mother. Two years before she made a journey to Baltimore but she
found a lot of difference between two journeys. She became mature so she was no longer required the attention of everybody on the
train to keep her amused. Miss Sullivan told her all about what she saw out of the window. Her doll was Nancy was with her.
In Boston, Helen was admitted to Perkins institute which was for blind children. She Helen had a sad experience when her doll,
Nancy became dirty. The laundress at the institute secretly took it away and gave it a bath which made the doll formless heap of
cotton. The other children talked like her and read the same book however other children could hear the sound while Helen could
not.

She visited the Bunker Hill where she had her first history lesson. She climbed the highest point which was once used by the
soldiers to shoot their enemies.
The next day, they went to Plymouth by water. It was her first voyage on a steamboat. The noise of the machine frightened her and
she thought it was thundering. A gentleman gave her a model of Plymouth Rock at Pilgrim Hall. She felt the model in her hand which
reminded her wonderful stories of the bravery of the Pilgrims but she was disappointed to know about their shameful acts of
persecuting minority groups.
She made friends with Mr. William Endicott and his daughter. She found them very kind and generous. She even visited their homes
and played with their dogs and horse. She called the Boston as The City of Kind Hearts.
Quick Revision Notes:
Helen visited Boston in May, 1988 with her teacher and mother however she found differences in this journey with her Baltimore
journey.
She was admitted to Perkins Institute which was for blind children. She met other children like her however, other children could
listen while Helen couldnt.
She visited the Bunker Hill and learned her first History lesson.
She also visited Plymouth by water which was her first voyage on a steamboat and she was frightened all over the journey.
She made friends with Mr. William Endicott and his daughter and called the city, Boston as The City of Kind Hearts.

Chapter 10 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Just before the Perkins Institute closed for the summer, it was planned that Helens teacher and she would spend vacation at
Brewster on Cape Cod with their friend, Mrs Hopkins. Helen was delighted as she had heard many wonderful stories about the sea.
She lived in the far inland and read in a big book called Our World a description of the ocean and eager to touch the sea and feel it
roar.
Once at the sea shore, she plunged into the sea water without any fear. She was enjoying it until her foot struck against a rock and
the water rushed over her head. She found no proper thing to hold as there was nothing except water and sea weeds. She was
fortunate that the waves threw her back on the shore where her teacher picked her up in the arms.
After she had recovered from the incident, she enjoyed watching the waves dashing against the rocks.
Miss Sullivan drew her attention to a big horseshoe crab. Helen thought that it would be a delightful pet so she carried the heavy
crab all the way to their house. She carefully placed the crab in a trough. But the next morning when she went there to see her per,
the crab was not there. Helen later realized her mistake of separating the crab from his habitat. She thought that the crab had
returned to sea and she felt happy.
Quick Revision Notes:

 Helen and teacher planned that they would spend vacation at Brewster on Cape God with their friend, Mrs Hopkins.
Helen was delighted as she read many wonderful stories about sea.
At the sea shore, she plunged into water and she was swept away by the sea but luckily the waves thrown back her on the sea
shore and she was picked up by her teacher.
Miss Sullivan attracted her attention towards a big horseshoe crab. She made the crab her pet and put him in a trough but next
morning the crab disappeared.
Helen realized her mistake of separating crab from his habitat and felt happy by thinking she had returned to sea.

Chapter 11 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

Helen returned to her Southern home. She felt happy whenever she recall the memories of North. There she got a lot of information,
experiences variety of things.
She spent her autumn months with her family at their summer cottage, on a mountain about 14 miles from Tuscumbia, called Fern
Quarry, because there was limestone quarry, long since deserted. Three streams ran over it and tumbled down in waterfalls
wherever rocks tried to block their way. The place was surrounded by tall trees. The mountain was thickly wooded.
Their cottage was like a rough camp situated on top of a mountain among oaks and pines. The small rooms were arranged on
each side of a long open hall.
Many visitors came to Fern Quarry. In the evening, by the campfire, men played cards and shared their hunting experiences.
She woke up in the morning with the sound of rattling guns and the smell of coffee. All men went off to hunt. Later in the morning, a
barbecue was planned. The savoury odour of the meat made her hungry. The hunting party also returned without a single hunt and
joined the feast.
Helen had a pony and she named him Black Beauty as she had just read the book. Occasionally, she rode the pony accompanied
by her teacher. Sometimes, she also gathered persimmons and nuts with her sister Mildred and cousins. At the foot of mountains,
there was a railroad and about a mile distant was a trestle spanning a deep gorge. One day when she, along with her sister and
Miss Sullivan, got lost in the woods. Mildred pointed out towards the trestle. The walked over it. Suddenly, a train came by and they
climbed down upon the crossbraces. They regained the track and reached home safely. They found the cottage empty as everyone
gone to look for them.
Quick Revision Notes:
Helen returned her Southern home with memories of North and lot of learnings.
Her family went to their summer cottage to spent autumns about 14 miles from Tuscumbia, called Fern Quarry.
Many visitors came there. In the evening, they shared their hunting experiences. In the morning, they together ate feast.
Helen had pony and named him Black Beauty and sometimes rode the pont with her teacher.
One day, Helen, Mildred and her teacher got lost in the woods. With great difficulties, they finally reached their cottage but found no
one there as everyone went out searching for them.

Chapter 12 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

After her first visit to Boston, she started to visit North in every winter. Once she went to visit a New England. The lakes are frozen
and hills and fields are covered with snow. There she experienced snowfall. She found trees were almost stripped leaving only a few
wrinkled leaves on them.
One day, a snowstorm came. All rushed to outside to feel the tiny flakes falling down. Gradually, all the road was covered by snow. In
the evening, a wind from the northeast came and flakes flew in various directions. Helen with others spent their time sitting around
the fire telling stories. At night, the wind became furious and thrilled them with unsure terror. The trees around the house pulled and
rattled and beat against the windows and they can heard them creaking and breaking. On third day, the snow storm ended and
the sun appeared. When the rays of the sun fell upon the trees, their twigs sparkled like diamonds. Helens favourite amusement
during this occasion was tobogganing. She enjoyed very much.
Quick Revision Notes:
She went to visit New England and enjoyed snowfall there.
After the snowstorm, whole area was covered by snow.
At night, they spent their time sitting around the fire telling stories.
On third day, the snow storm ended and the sun appeared and Helen enjoyed her favourite amusement, tobogganing.

Chapter 13 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

In the spring of 1890, Helen learnt to speak. After the loss of the ability of hearing, she also stopped talking. When she was in
mothers lap, she would move her hand on her face to fell how her lips moved. She made many sounds not to speak but for the
exercise of her vocal chords. She also remembered the first word that she uttered was water. With the help of her teacher she
practised to communicate by feeling letters with her fingers but she was not satisfied and desperately wanted to learn to speak.
In 1890, Mrs Lamson, one of the teachers at the Perkins Institutions came to see Helen and told her about a deaf and blind girl,
Ragnhild Kaata who had been taught to speak. The story generated a new hope in Helen and she resolved that she would also
speak. Miss Sullivan took her for advice and assistance to Miss Sarah Fuller, the principal of Horace Mann School.
Miss Fuller was a sweet natured lady. She started tutoring Helen in March, 1980. She passed Helens hand lightly over her face and
let her feel the position of her tongue and lips when she made sound. After a long practice, Helen uttered a sentence which is It is
warm. The syllables were broken but they were human speech. Miss Fuller giver her total eleven lessons.
She continued her practise with Miss Sullivan. Her teacher called her attention to the mispronounced words. Sometimes she
became very disappointed but soon came out from disappointment.
Lastly, her happiest day arrived. She had made speech her own. Helen reached Tuscumbia railway station and thought about the joy
of her family members would be seeing her talk like a normal person.
Quick Revision Notes:

After loss of the ability of hearing, Helen also stopped talking.

In 1890, Mrs Lamson came to see Helen and told her about a deaf and blind girl who had been taught to speak which generated a
new hope in her.
Miss Sullivan took her to Miss Sarah Fuller who tutored Helen.

 After a long practice she spoken first sentence and she continued her practice with her teacher, Miss Sullivan.
Helen finally made speech her own.

Chapter 14 Summary and Quick revision Notes English

In this chapter, Helen described her darkest phase of her life. An incident occurred which turned her childhoods joy into doubt, fear
and anxiety. The main cause was a story called The Frost King, which she wrote and sent to Mr. Anagnos, director of the Perkins
Institute on her Birthday.
She wrote the story when she was at home, the autumn after she learnt to speak. When she was writing book, she did not realize
that the words and images coming to her mind without effort were not her own.
After completion of story, Helen read it to her friends and family. They were impressed with writing of Helen. Someone asked her if
she had read the story in a book in answer she denied and told that it was her own story. Mr. Anagnos was delighted to receive the
story and published it in a report of Perkins Institution. She felt like she had touched peak of success.
After the publication, it was discovered that her story was almost the similar to a story named The Frost Fairies written by Miss
Margaret T. Canby appeared in a book named Birdie and His Friends. The content of both story are so similar that it was clear that
Helens story was plagiarism. This was a great shock for Helen.
A few day after the incident, she went to attend Washingtons Birthday celebration. The night before the celebration, one of the
teachers asked her about the incident but she denied that she have ever heard Canbys story but the teacher came to conclusions
that Helen still remember that story and told to Mr. Anagnos. He believed that Helen and Miss Sullivan had deliberately stolen the
thoughts of a great writer to win his appreciation.
Helen was brought before a court of investigation composed of the teachers and officers of the institution. She was questioned and
cross-questioned to force her to acknowledge that she remembered The Frost Fairies story. She felt heavy at heart and responded
to those questions only in monosyllables. Finally, she was allowed to leave the room. She did not noticed her teacher or friends. She
wept that night in her bed and imagined that she should die before morning and the thought comforted her.
Miss Sullivan had never heard The Frost Fairies. With the assistance of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, Miss Sullivan investigated the
matter carefully. Lastly came out that story had been narrated to Helen by Mrs. Sophia Hopkins when she had spent a summer with
her at Brewster.
After the incident, she received many letters of love and sympathy from loved ones. She also received a kind note from Miss Canby
herself inspiring her to write something of her own in future. All the things were making Helen easy but still she was afraid of writing
again.
Later, she came to know that she had absorbed that story very much and used its ideas and language in her writing. This thing was
explained by R.L. Stevenson who said that young writers spontaneously tries to copy whatever seems most admirable to them.
Miss Sullivan encouraged her to continue writing. This incident taught Helen about the problems in the writing but she also lost her
dearest friend Mr. Anagnos. She included this chapter because it was important in her life and education.
Quick Revision Notes:
After learning to speak, Helen wrote a story named The Frost King and sent to Mr. Anagnos, director of the Perkins Institute.
Her family and friends were impressed with her writing.
Later, it was discovered that her story almost the similar to a story named The Frost Fairies written by Miss Margaret T. Canby.
She faced a court of investigation and loss all hope.

 She found that story The Frost Fairies had been narrated to Helen by Mrs. Sophia Hopkins when she had spent a summer with
her at Brewster.
She later came to know that she had absorbed that story very much and used its ideas and language.
She remembered a lot from this incident but she also lost her dearest friend Mr. Anagnos.

Character Sketches from the Novel The Story of My Life SA-I

Helen Keller
Hellen Keller was an American author, political activist and lecturer who was born on June 27, 1880 at Tuscumbia, a little town in
northern Alabama. She lost her ability to see and hear at the age of nineteen months due to illness. The world became dark for her
but soon her teacher came and enlighten her path. Her teacher, Miss Sullivan taught her to communicate and helped in learning
many great things.
Helen was a great lover of nature and studied mostly with nature. She travelled a lot as she had desire to see and experience new
things. She liked the company of others also. She made many friends in her journey. She learnt various subjects with the help of her
teacher. She became weak when her first writing was regarded as plagiarism but she soon overcame. She never let her physical
disabilities obstruct her in path of success.
Miss Anne Sullivan
Miss Anne Sullivan was Helens teacher and mentor. She came in her life when she was just seven years old. She was sent by the
Perkins Institute for blind. The day of arrival of Miss Sullivan is the most important for Helen as she opened the gate of information to
her. She guided Helen through all phases of her life. Helen experience many parts of nature with her. Miss Sullivan taught her to
communicate by spelling the words on her hand. Miss Sullivan was herself a blind and understood all the difficulties faced by a blind
person. She was adorable woman and had a great patience. She also her subjects like Arithmetic, History, Geography, Zoology etc.
in playful manner. She also helped Helen in learning speaking. Together they spent a lot of good times.
Arthur H. Keller
Arthur H. Keller was father of Helen Keller who was a captain in the Confederate Army. He was editor of a newspaper. He was
brave, loving and indulgent person. She was good hunter and storyteller. He was quite close to his family. He only left his family
when he went to hunt. He was hospitable to a fault and seldom came home without bringing a guest. He loved gardening and used
to lead Helen from tree to tree and from vine to vine. He used to spell words into her daughter, Helens hand and made her to repeat
them. He was in sorrow seeing her daughter helpless. He consulted many doctor to get her proper treatment. She felt relief when he
found a proper teacher for her daughter. He died in the summer of 1896.
Mildred Keller
Mildred Keller was Helens younger sister. Before her birth Helen used to get all the attention from her parents but after Mildreds
birth things changed which made Helen jealous of her. When they grew up, they became friends. However, she could not
understand Helens finger language. Once at the Fern Quarry, they get lost in woods. Mildred pointed towards the trestle and they
walked over it. They climbed a moving train and returned to their cottage. This shows her alert behaviour.
Martha Washington
Martha Washington was daughter of the cook of Kellers family. She was a coloured who became Helens companion in her early
days. She understood Helens signs. She was a mischievous girl. Helen always dominated her and made her do what she wanted to
do. She submitted her to Helen because she didnt want to fight with Helen. She used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with Helen
kneading dough balls, making ice-cream, grinding coffee, quarrelling over the cake bowl and feeding hens and turkeys. She also
used to go to egg-hunting in the long grass with Helen.

Kate Keller
Kate Keller was the mother of Helen Keller. She was second wife of Arthur H. Keller who was much elder to her. She was tall, fair
complexioned and had blonde hair and blue eyes. She was very supportive and cooperative. She was intelligent, well read and had
a good memory. She understood crude signs made by Helen in her early illness days. She loved her daughter very much and took a
great of her. She was a hardworking woman and did everything for her family. When she read the account of Laura Bridgman, a deaf
and blind girl who still got educated by Dr. Howe in Charles Dickens American Notes, she gained a new hope for Helen that she
might be educated. However, Dr. Howe died long ago and his methods probably died with him. She had positive attitude towards the
life.

Michael Anagnos
Michael Anagnos was director of Perkins institute of Blind in Boston. When Helens father sent her a letter, she found Anne Sullivan
and sent her to taught Helen. After Helen joined the Perkins Institute, he became a friend of her. Later, his friendship with Helen
broke due to reason of a story named The Frost King. Helen wrote this story and sent to Mr. Anagnos on his birthday which he
published in one of the reports of the institute. The story later found the copy of another story. Mr. Anagnos felt Helen had cheated
on her. She accused Helen for plagiarism despite knowing her for years. However, after the publication of The Story of Life in the
Ladies Home Journal, Mr Anagnos made statement that he supported Helen. His friendship with Helen not restored.

The Story of My Life-Question and Answers based on Themes and Plots SA-I
Question: 1. Describe the life of Helen before her illness.
Answer
The illness caught Helen when she was nineteen years old which made deaf and blind. Before illness, Helen wore long dresses and
showed many signs of eager and self-asserting nature. Everything she saw other people do she insisted upon intimating. At six
months she could speak How dye and one day she attracted everyones attention by saying Tea, tea, tea quite plainly. She also
remembered one of the words she learned in the early months which was water.
She walked the day when she was a year old. She was suddenly attracted by the flickering shadows of leaves that danced in the
sunlight on the smooth floor. She slipped from her mothers lap and ran toward them. The impulse gone and she fell down and
started crying for her to take her up in her arm that day.
Question: 2. How did Helen Keller lost her abilities of hearing and seeing?
Answer
Helen Keller was not born deaf and blind. When she was nineteen months old she got sicken with a mysterious disease which took
away her eyesight and ability of hearing. The illness was diagnosed as acute congestion of the stomach and brain. The doctor
though that she could not live. However, early morning, the fever left her suddenly and mysteriously as it had come. No one knew
that she should never see or hear again. Gradually, she got used to the silence and darkness that surrounded her.
Question: 3. Explain the words There is no king who has not had a slave among his ancestors, and no slave who has not had a
king among his."
Answer
These words mean that in every persons ancestry, some are rich and some are poor. Even if person is king today, in her ancestry

there must be a slave which defines that life is full of ups and downs. Todays slave also had a king in his ancestry. Every coin has
two sides, is a fact. One needs to learn from the past and try to make her present and future good.
Question: 4. How did Helen Keller overcome difficulties caused by her disease?
Answer
Helen Keller lost the ability of hearing and eyesight at a very little age. However, nature given her other ability. Her hands felt every
object and observed every motion which helped her in learning many things. He can keep clean clothes were brought in from the
laundry and distinguished her own clothes from the rest. She knew whenever her mother and aunt dressed and were going out, also
she begged to go with them. She made crude signs and started communicating with them. A shake of the head meant 'No' and a
nod 'Yes', a pull meant 'come' and a push 'go'. These things help her in overcoming difficulties.

Question: 5. How Helen Keller learn subjects like Geography, History, Botany etc.?
Answer
She started learning subjects with the help of nature. Firstly, Helen father's developed her interest in nature. Her teacher, Miss
Sullivan also taught her mostly outdoor. She got her first lessons at banks of the Tennessee River were she learnt how nature works
such as how the sun and the rain help the plant in growing, how birds build their nests, how animals get food. She also climbed a
tree. Miss Sullivan taught her Geography in an interesting manner. She built dams with pebbles, made islands and lakes, and dug
river-beds. She also raised maps in clay, so that Helen could feel the mountain ridges and valleys. She also taught her botany and
zoology in same leisurely manner.
She studied about prehistoric creatures with the help of fossils. She also learnt about habitat of the marine animals and about
growth of plants.
She got her history lessons when she was admitted to Perkins Institute by visiting ancient places such as Bunker Hill and Plymouth.

Question: 6. Describe the relationship between Miss Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller.
Answer
Miss Anne Sullivan arrival in the life of Helen Keller is regarded as most important part of life by Helen herself. At the day of Annes
arrival, Helen was feeling something unusual going to happen. The arrival of Anne changes Helens life wholly. Miss Anne Sullivan
taught her to her the spellings of words by writing them on her hand. Later she taught her abstract words like love, think etc. After
learning words, she taught Helen how to use the words in sentences. She also told her stories and taught her many subjects. She
accompanied her everywhere. Later, Helen also practised to speak with Anne and she corrected the mispronunciation of words
made by Helen. She was like mother to her. They shared a wonderful relationship which lasted till the death of Miss Sullivan.
Question: 7. Describe Miss Sarah Fuller, Principle of the Horace Mann School as result oriented teacher.
Answer
Helen had stopped talking after the loss of the ability of hearing. One day, Mrs. Lamson arrived to see her and told her about a girl
who had actually been taught to speak. This story generated a new hope in Helen and she resolved that she would also speak. Miss
Sullivan took her for advice and assistance to Miss Sarah Fuller, the principal of Horace Mann School. She was lovely, sweet
natured lady. Her method was unique. She passed Helens hand lightly over her face, and let Helen feel the position of her tongue
and lips when she made sound. Helen was eager to imitate every motion and in an hour had learned six elements of speech: M, P,
A, S, T, I. Miss Fuller gave her total eleven lessons. Helen was surprised and delighted when she uttered her first connected
sentence, It is warm. They were broken but it was her own voice.
Gradually, Helen improved a lot with practice and started speaking. Thus, Miss Sarah Fuller was a result oriented teacher.

Question: 8. How did Anne Sullivan make Helen understand the meaning of word Love?
Answer
Miss Sullivan was a great teacher for Helen. One day, when Helen brought early violets for her teacher. She gently put her arm
around Helen and spelled on her hand, I love Helen. Helen asked her What is love? Miss Sullivan drew her closer and pointed
towards her heart and told her that love is here. Helen felt the beat of heart first time but couldnt understand the meaning of love.
She was disappointed that her teacher couldnt show her the love.
Once, Helen was arranging the beads in symmetrical pattern but found it difficult. Miss Sullivan touched her forehead and spelled
think. Helen quickly understood that the word was the name of process that was going her head. This was her first conscious
perception of an abstract idea. Miss Sullivan explained her that love is like the clouds that we cannot touch the clouds but when it
rains, flowers and thirsty earth feel glad to have it. We cannot touch love but can feel the sweetness that it pours into everything.
Without love no one can be happy. This made Helen understood the meaning of love.

Question: 9. Helen was accused of plagiarism. The allegation of plagiarism sometimes suffocates a budding writer. Comment.
Answer
Helen wrote a story called Autumn Leaves later the title changed to The Frost King. Later, it was found that the story is similar to an
existing work named The Frost Fairies. She was accused of plagiarism.
Plagiarism means stealing someone elses work and passing them off as one's own. Copying word by word is a serious crime and
invites punishment. If anyone do this, he/she is not a budding writer.
Taking some idea from literary works is not a crime. Every writer can research previously published literary works. Every novel or
books is based on some existing ideas.
The allegation of plagiarism make the budding writer depress. He starts thinking that he cant do anything of his own. He suffers a lot
which take away all of his creativity.

Question: 10. How did Helen realize that she is different from other people?
Answer
Helen was deaf and blind after a mysterious illness occurred to her. She realized that she was different from other people before her
teacher came to her. She had noticed that her mother and friends did not use signs as she did when they wanted anything done, but
talked with their mouths. Sometimes she stood between two persons who were conversing and touched their lips. She could not
understand and was vexed. She moved her lips and gesticulated frantically without result. This made her so angry at times that she
kicked and screamed until was exhausted.
Question: 11. Describe the winter landscape Helen found in New England village.
Answer
After her visit to Boston, Helen spent almost every winter in the North. Once she went to visit New England Village. The lakes are
frozen and there were vast snow fields. She never saw such treasures of snow before. She found trees were almost stripped leaving
only a few wrinkled leaves on them. The birds had flow and their empty nests were filled with snow. Snow was hill and field. All life
seemed to have reduced.
Another day, a snowstorm came. All rushed outside to feel the tiny flakes of ice. In the evening, a wind from the northeast came and
flakes flew in various directions. At night, the wind became furious and thrilled them with unsure terror. The trees around the house
pulled and rattled and beat against the windows and they can hear them creaking and breaking.
On third day, the snow reduced. The sun broke through the clouds. The trees stood motionless. When the rays of sun fell upon the
trees, the twigs sparkled like diamonds. Helen enjoyed herself in a snowfall.

Question: 12. What cause Helen to take dive in the cold water? What happened after she plunged into cold water?
Answer
Helen was delighted to know that she and her teacher should spend their vacation at Brewster, on Cape God. Her mind was full of
prospective joys and the wonderful stories she had heard about the sea. She had always lived far inland. She also read a big book
called Our World a description of the ocean which filled her with wonder and intense desire to touch the mighty sea. All these things
caused Helen to take dive in the cold water.
Once at the sea shore, she plunged into the sea water without any fear. She was enjoying it until her foot struck against a rock and
the water rushed over her head. She found no proper thing to hold as there was nothing except water and sea weeds. However, she
was fortunate that waves threw her back on the shore where her teacher picked her up in the arms.
Question: 13. Describe Helens First Christmas after Miss Sullivans arrival in Tuscumbia.
Answer
The first Christmas after Miss Sullivans arrival was a great even for Helen. Everyone in her family prepared was planning surprises
for Helen. She was also preparing her surprises with her teacher. They kept up a guessing game which taught Helen more about the
use of language. They played the guessing game every evening which grew more and more exciting as Christmas approached.
Helen was invited by the Tuscumbia schoolchildren to their decorated Christmas tree. She danced and jump around the tree in an
excitement. She gave gifts to other children.
She also wanted to know what she was to receive on that occasion. In the morning, when she got up she found a lot of gifts for her.
She was most delighted by her teachers gift which is a canary. She enjoyed Christmas Eve a lot.
Question: 14. Why did Helen call her Pony Black Beauty?
Answer
Helen had her pony at Fern Quarry. She named the pony Black Beauty as she had just finished the book named Black Beauty:
The autobiography of a Horse. Her pony resembled his namesake in every way from his glossy coat tot the white star on his
forehead. She also spent many happiest hours on her ponys back.