The Story of My Life · Chapter
Editor’s Preface explained
The editor introduces the three-part structure of the book, explaining that Helen Keller's own story and letters are supplemented by Anne Sullivan's reports and letters, as well as an editorial account of Helen's personality and achievement
What happens
The editor introduces the three-part structure of the book, explaining that Helen Keller's own story and letters are supplemented by Anne Sullivan's reports and letters, as well as an editorial account of Helen's personality and achievements. He acknowledges contributions from various individuals and publications.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Knowledge
The preface emphasizes the importance of understanding Helen Keller's education through her teacher's reports and letters.
Language and Communication
The book's structure highlights the collaborative effort to document and communicate Helen's experiences and learning process.
Characters to notice
- Helen Keller
Subject of the autobiography; her story and letters form the first two parts of the book.
- Anne Sullivan
Helen's teacher; her reports and letters are included to explain Helen's education.
- Mrs. Laurence Hutton
Supplied the editor with a large collection of notes and anecdotes.
- John Hitz
Superintendent of the Volta Bureau for the Deaf; provided valuable information.
- Sophia C. Hopkins
Recipient of Anne Sullivan's illuminating letters that give insight into her teaching methods.
Key passages
“Much of her education she cannot explain herself, and since a knowledge of that is necessary to an understanding of what she has written, it was thought best to supplement her autobiography with the reports and letters of her teacher, Miss Anne Mansfield Sullivan.”
Because Helen cannot fully describe her own education, the editor decided to include her teacher Anne Sullivan's reports and letters to help readers understand her story.
Explains the rationale for including supplementary material.
“The Editor desires to express his gratitude and the gratitude of Miss Keller and Miss Sullivan to The Ladies’ Home Journal and to its editors, Mr. Edward Bok and Mr. William V. Alexander, who have been unfailingly kind and have given for use in this book all the photographs which were taken expressly for the Journal.”
The editor thanks The Ladies' Home Journal and its editors for providing photographs and for their kindness.
Acknowledges the contribution of the magazine and its editors.