Summary of chapter 1 and 2 of the novel Story of my life by Helen Keller

The Story of My Life Summary

Chapters 1-5

After providing brief descriptions of her home in Alabama and her family members, Keller explains how she became disabled—a fever she had when she was nineteen months old left her blind and deaf—and her first memories of being disabled, recounting her early attempts to communicate. Keller reviews her parents ' efforts to find her medical treatment and educational assistance, as well as her early experiences with her first teacher, Anne Sullivan.

Following the illness that left her blind and deaf, Keller got accustomed to the darkness and the silence but retained the memories of the sights and sounds she had enjoyed before her illness. Keller devised a simple system of gestures and tried very hard to make herself understood by her family. She knew when she was being difficult, but she felt she had to resort to fits of temper and frustration because the few signs she used to express...

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The Story of My Lifeby Helen Keller is an inspirational account of Helen's attempts to make sense of her "dayless" world and the people with whom she shared it. By the close of Chapter 9 it is already clear to the reader that Helen is a determined child who, despite enormous odds, is sure to succeed. Her stubbornness has become one of her strongest attributes.

Helen relishes her time in Boston where the other blind children can speak her "language" and "I lost all sense of pain in the pleasure of their companionship." In her autobiography, Helen is able to chart her progress, including life before her illness so that the reader can learn from her experiences and gain encouragement from them.

By the end of the first chapter, the reader has been introduced to Helen's family background and even a mention of Ann Sullivan, who will "set my spirit free."Themost significant part of those earliest memoriesare Helen's recollections of thegarden "the paradise of my childhood" which would become Helen's vital link to the outside world as her senses of touch and smell became so crucial to her survival.

In chapter 2, Helen reveals her stubborn streak as she recalls an occasion whenlocks Miss Sullivan in a room and refuses to release the key, forcing her father to help Miss Sullivan out through a window. Helen's independence is also revealed and her attempts almost lead to disaster as she almost sets the house and herself on fire in an attempt to dry her apron. No mention ismade of her parents reaction which is key as obviously their supportcontributes to her growing independence. Everything Helen does at least lessens the effect of her "silent, aimless, dayless life." Martha Washington becomes her friend and helps Helen explore and have a life as normal as possible.

In chapter 3, there is a huge breakthrough as Helen's parents take her toBaltimore and onward to Washington where her appointment with Alexander Graham Bell will provide "the door through which I should pass from darkness into light." It is becoming urgent that shefinds some way to communicate as her outburts are becoming unmanageable as they occur "daily, sometimes hourly."It is subsequent to thismeeting that will introduce the family to Ann Sullivan in chapter 4.

"The most important day I remember in all my life" is of course the arrival of Miss Sullivan who will become her companion, friend and interpreter. The event for which Helen Keller is most easily remembered takes place in chapter 4 as the word "W-A-T-E-R" becomes "That living word (that) awakened my soul."

In chapter 5 Helen has her first real scare as she experiences the full force of nature which "hides treacherous claws" under a soft exterior. Helen though learns from everything that happens to her.Chapter 6 expressesHelen's first attempts with language as shestruggles to understand abstract concepts such as "love."

The importance of Helen's educaion and Ann Sullivan's approach is revealed in chapter 7 asanything thatcan "hum, or buzz, or sing, or bloom" becomes a part of it. Learning to read is a great adventure and she learns from "life itself." Helen struggles with arithmetic but relishes anything natural. By chapter 8 she recalls an exciting Christmas experience and Chapter 9 is her first visit to Boston.

It is possible to learn a lot about the personality of this little girl in just a short space of tim

The Story of My Lifeby Helen Keller is an inspirational account of Helen's attempts to make sense of her "dayless" world and the people with whom she shared it. By the close of Chapter 9 it is already clear to the reader that Helen is a determined child who, despite enormous odds, is sure to succeed. Her stubbornness has become one of her strongest attributes.

Helen relishes her time in Boston where the other blind children can speak her "language" and "I lost all sense of pain in the pleasure of their companionship." In her autobiography, Helen is able to chart her progress, including life before her illness so that the reader can learn from her experiences and gain encouragement from them.

By the end of the first chapter, the reader has been introduced to Helen's family background and even a mention of Ann Sullivan, who will "set my spirit free."Themost significant part of those earliest memoriesare Helen's recollections of thegarden "the paradise of my childhood" which would become Helen's vital link to the outside world as her senses of touch and smell became so crucial to her survival.

In chapter 2, Helen reveals her stubborn streak as she recalls an occasion whenlocks Miss Sullivan in a room and refuses to release the key, forcing her father to help Miss Sullivan out through a window. Helen's independence is also revealed and her attempts almost lead to disaster as she almost sets the house and herself on fire in an attempt to dry her apron. No mention ismade of her parents reaction which is key as obviously their supportcontributes to her growing independence. Everything Helen does at least lessens the effect of her "silent, aimless, dayless life." Martha Washington becomes her friend and helps Helen explore and have a life as normal as possible.

In chapter 3, there is a huge breakthrough as Helen's parents take her toBaltimore and onward to Washington where her appointment with Alexander Graham Bell will provide "the door through which I should pass from darkness into light." It is becoming urgent that shefinds some way to communicate as her outburts are becoming unmanageable as they occur "daily, sometimes hourly."It is subsequent to thismeeting that will introduce the family to Ann Sullivan in chapter 4.

"The most important day I remember in all my life" is of course the arrival of Miss Sullivan who will become her companion, friend and interpreter. The event for which Helen Keller is most easily remembered takes place in chapter 4 as the word "W-A-T-E-R" becomes "That living word (that) awakened my soul."

In chapter 5 Helen has her first real scare as she experiences the full force of nature which "hides treacherous claws" under a soft exterior. Helen though learns from everything that happens to her.Chapter 6 expressesHelen's first attempts with language as shestruggles to understand abstract concepts such as "love."

The importance of Helen's educaion and Ann Sullivan's approach is revealed in chapter 7 asanything thatcan "hum, or buzz, or sing, or bloom" becomes a part of it. Learning to read is a great adventure and she learns from "life itself." Helen struggles with arithmetic but relishes anything natural. By chapter 8 she recalls an exciting Christmas experience and Chapter 9 is her first visit to Boston.

It is possible to learn a lot about the personality of this little girl in just a short space of tim