Themes: Education in Special Circumstances

When Keller’s parents take her to see the oculist Dr. Chisholm, he tells them that he is unable to restore Keller’s sight but points out that this does not prevent her from being educated. From this moment onward, education is the principal subject of the book. Keller describes in detail how she learned to read and then devotes a great deal of space to what she read and the effects this reading had on her. In literature alone, she becomes...

Themes: Perseverance Against the Odds

At every stage of Helen Keller’s educational progress, she was beset by difficulties that would have caused many people to give up. She describes how difficult it was for her to learn to speak by feeling the position of her teacher’s lips and tongue and says that even after a great deal of work, her speech was still incomprehensible to anyone except her teachers. The lack of books in raised lettering or braille meant that Keller often had to have...

Themes: Human Kindness

It is a striking feature of the book that it contains no villains. Even during Keller’s darkest episode, when she is accused of plagiarizing “The Frost King,” she depicts her antagonists as decent, well-intentioned people, anxious to do the right thing. Her main concern is that she has disappointed them. Even the author of the story she unconsciously copied is kind and understanding.

Throughout the book, every character sketch that is more...

Themes: Transcendent Experiences

Helen Keller clearly understands that most seeing and hearing people are so dependent on those two senses that they find it almost impossible to imagine her experience of life. For instance, when she expresses her joy at being in the countryside, they do not understand how the country is different from the city for one who cannot experience the sights and sounds of either. However, Keller describes several experiences in which she felt such joy...

Themes: Education

Education is a central theme in The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. Despite the challenges posed by her blindness and deafness, Helen's education becomes a transformative journey. Through her learning experiences, she discovers the world around her and finds her voice. Her story highlights the power of education to overcome barriers and enrich one's life.

Nature played a crucial role in Helen's education. Even as a toddler, she was drawn to the...

Themes: Communication

The theme of communication is central to The Story of My Lifeby Helen Keller. Helen's journey from isolation to understanding highlights the transformative power of language. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between Helen and the world, teaching her to communicate through the manual alphabet. This breakthrough in communication opens up a new world for Helen, allowing her to express herself and connect with...