What is an overview of The Story of My Life?
Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, covers her life from birth until her second year of college. In it, Helen explained her family background, how she lost her sight and hearing, and how she learned to communicate. She also detailed her education, travels, friends, and hobbies.
Helen Keller was born in Alabama in 1880. She was bright as a baby and young toddler. Shortly before her second birthday, she became extremely ill. She eventually recovered, but her illness caused her to be deaf and blind. For years, Helen lived in a silent world of darkness. She yearned to communicate, but she could not and became frustrated. Finally, her parents sought help. They arranged for a teacher to come help Helen. That teacher was Miss Sullivan. Miss Sullivan worked with determination to help Helen learn to communicate. Eventually, Helen had a breakthrough and learned the connection between words and objects. This was the beginning of Helen Keller's journey of lifelong learning.
Eventually, Helen went to school and then college. She traveled all over the country and to Canada. She made friends with many famous people, such as Alexander Graham Bell and Mark Twain. Helen enjoyed reading, being in nature, and sailing. At the end of the book, Helen credited her friends for making her life incredible:
Thus it is that my friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges, and enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow cast by my deprivation (Chapter XXIII).
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.