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 that the lack of sight and sound no longer mattered. These peak experiences include climbing a tree and finally finding a perch high up in the branches where she would sit for hours, “feeling like a fairy on a rosy cloud.” She also describes a more dynamic version of this feeling when she talks about tobogganing:
What joy! What exhilarating madness! For one wild, glad moment we snapped the chain that binds us to earth, and joining hands with the winds we felt ourselves divine!
Apart from her love of the countryside, and activities such as tree-climbing, tobogganing, swimming, and boating, Keller describes deriving a similar transcendent happiness from her reading, saying that among her “book friends,” she entirely forgets her disabilities and is perfectly happy. The frequency and power of these experiences in Keller’s life have a profound effect in making her story a fundamentally uplifting one.
Expert Q&A
What lessons did Helen Keller learn from nature?
Helen Keller learned several important lessons from nature, including the growth of plants, how animals find food and shelter, and the concept of love from the warmth of the sun. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, used outdoor experiences to help Helen understand abstractions and appreciate beauty. However, Helen also learned that nature could be fierce and should be respected.
What does Helen's statement "Knowledge is love and light and vision" mean in The Story of My Life?
Helen Keller's statement "Knowledge is love and light and vision" reflects her belief that education transformed her life from darkness to enlightenment. Despite being deaf and blind, knowledge allowed her to connect with others, appreciate her family's love, and develop a personal vision of the world. Her teacher, Annie Sullivan, played a crucial role in this journey, enabling Helen to bridge the gap between her isolated existence and a world full of possibilities.
The emotional impact and inspirational qualities of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The emotional impact of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller lies in her remarkable journey overcoming severe disabilities with determination and resilience. Her inspirational qualities are evident through her perseverance, optimism, and the support of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, which collectively demonstrate the power of education and human spirit in triumphing over adversity.
Why does Keller compare greenhouse climbing roses to asphodels in God's garden?
Keller compares greenhouse climbing roses to asphodels in God's garden because they evoke a sense of paradise and heavenly beauty, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. For Keller, the roses represent a cherished memory of her sighted childhood, offering comfort and peace. The comparison to asphodels, associated with the afterworld in The Odyssey, suggests the roses' ethereal beauty and otherworldly essence, highlighting their significance in her life.
In The Story of My Life, how does the snow reveal its mysterious force to Helen in Boston?
In Boston, Helen Keller experiences the snow's mysterious force through her heightened senses of touch and imagination. Despite being blind and deaf, she vividly describes the snow transforming the landscape into a "vast, undulating white plain," feeling its texture and the cold wind on her face. Her excitement and joy in tobogganing and exploring the snowy environment highlight her ability to live fully and appreciate new experiences, relying on her other senses and imagination.
Helen Keller's surprising reaction to Niagara Falls in The Story of My Life
In The Story of My Life, Helen Keller's reaction to Niagara Falls is one of unexpected disappointment. Despite the grandeur and power of the falls, Keller feels underwhelmed because she cannot experience the visual and auditory majesty of the natural wonder. Her reaction highlights the limitations imposed by her disabilities and her yearning for a fuller sensory experience.
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.
