Login

character sketch of miss sullivan from novel the story of my life

Miss Sullivan is the teacher and constant companion of Helen. She successfully awakens Helens soul to light and freedom, and sets her spirit free. She is thy spiritual liberator, Whittier has said to Helen about Miss Sullivan.

On third of March, 1887, Miss Sullivan arrived at the house of the Kellers. From that day on, Helens life took a completely different turn: from darkness to light, from isolation to friendship. Miss Sullivan was an extremely patient and considerate teacher who never failed to understand Helens frustration and discontentment. She methodically taught Helen how to communicate using her fingers and then assisted her in her education through all the institutions that Helen attended.

Miss Sullivans method of teaching was very effective. She illustrated everything she taught using a poem or a story. Besides, she used to take Helen out-of-doors and teach her in the lap of nature. This way, not only did she help Helen learn lessons, but also developed the bond between Helen and the world she was deprived of. Helen dedicates her success in articulating speech sounds to Miss Sullivans genius, untiring perseverance and devotion.

  • 3
View Full Answer
fdhjfd






 
  • 0

The Story of My Life reveals Annie Sullivan as the inspiration behind Helen Keller's extraordinary life. She is only partially-sighted herself, after undergoing surgery to correct her vision at a young age and herself having been educated at The Perkins Institute for The Blind, a place instrumental in Helen Keller's own development.

Anne Sullivan, Annie, is the person responsible for "the most important day I remember in all my life" (ch 5) as Helen recognizes Annie's contribution throughout her life as teacher, interpreter, friend, companion and motivator. Annie never misses an opportunity to teach Helen, whether it be academically or life skills. She teaches Helen an appreciation in even the smallest detail: "in every blade of grass, and in the curves and dimples of my baby sister's hand."(ch 5) Annie has the capacity to help Helen connect with nature and "made me feel that 'birds and flowers and I were happy peers.'"(ch 5)

One of Annie Sullivan's most instrumental effects is felt when she makes Helen "Think." It is this that helps Helen make the connection between the abstract and the physical as "you feel the sweetness that it (love) pours into everything."(ch 6) Annie makes "every subject so real that I could not help remembering."(ch 7) So profound is the impact that Annie Sullivan has on Helen that "her being is inseparable from my own, and (that) the footsteps of my life are in hers." (ch 7
  • 0
Miss Anne Mansfield Sullivan had the greatest influence on the life, character and acheivements of Helen Keller. She gave a new direction, meaning and purpose to Helen's dark life. Miss Sullivan inherited all those triats and characterisitcs that go in making a perfect teacher. She was a picture of tireless patience and unreading devotion. It was her constant encoragement, help and guidence that made Helen Keeler first deaf and blind in the world to earn a bachelor degree.It was Graham Bell who advised the parents of Helen Keller to contact the Perkins Institute for the Blind. The director, Mr. Anagnos asked a former student of Miss Anne Sullivan to become Keller's instructor. Miss Sullivan was herself a visually impaired 20 year old lady. It was he begining of a 49-year-long relationship. The relationship evolved into Miss Sullivan becoming Helen's governess and then eventul companion. Anne Sullivan arrived at Keller's house in March 1887. She immediatiely began to teach Helen to communicate by spel;ling words into her hand, begining with "d-o-l-l" for the doll. It was Miss Sullivan who unfolded and developed Helen's skills and possibilities. It was Sullivan's genius as a teacher, her sympathy and loving tact which made learning so beautiful and interesting for Helen Keller. She felt that her being was inseparable from her student. All that was the best in Helen Keller had been awakened by the loving touch touch of Miss Sullivan. Anne Sullivan stayed as a companion to Helen Keller long after she taught her. Anne Sullivan married John Macy in 1905. She remained a s a constant companion to Helen Keller till she died in 1936.



 
  • 1
What are you looking for?