The Story of My Life · Chapter
II explained
Helen Keller describes her early childhood before the arrival of her teacher, including her attempts to communicate through crude signs, her mischievous and sometimes violent behavior, her relationships with her family and companions like M
What happens
Helen Keller describes her early childhood before the arrival of her teacher, including her attempts to communicate through crude signs, her mischievous and sometimes violent behavior, her relationships with her family and companions like Martha Washington, and her growing awareness of being different from others. She recounts locking her mother in a pantry, her jealousy toward her baby sister Mildred, and her father's loving nature.
Themes in this chapter
Language and Communication
Helen's early attempts at communication through crude signs and her frustration at not being understood by others.
Identity and Self-Expression
Helen's growing awareness of being different from others and her struggle to express herself through imitation and tantrums.
Love and Friendship
The complex emotions of jealousy toward her sister Mildred, the bond with her mother, and later affection for Mildred after gaining language.
Characters to notice
- Helen Keller
Narrator and subject of the chapter; describes her early childhood, frustrations, and mischievous acts.
- Kate Adams Keller
Helen's mother; patient and loving, she helps Helen understand the world and is locked in a pantry by Helen.
- Captain Keller
Helen's father; a loving, indulgent man who edits a newspaper, loves hunting, and tells stories.
- Mildred Keller
Helen's baby sister; initially viewed as an intruder, Helen overturns her cradle in a fit of jealousy.
- Martha Washington
A little colored girl, child of the cook; Helen's constant companion who understands her signs and submits to her tyranny.
- Anne Sullivan
Helen's teacher; mentioned at the end of the chapter as arriving after Helen's naughty pranks, and Helen locks her in a room.
Key passages
“Thus it is that when we walk in the valley of twofold solitude we know little of the tender affections that grow out of endearing words and actions and companionship.”
In the isolation of being both blind and deaf, one cannot experience the gentle love that comes from spoken words and shared activities.
Helen reflects on her emotional isolation before learning to communicate.
“I do not remember when I first realized that I was different from other people; but I knew it before my teacher came to me.”
Helen cannot recall the exact moment she understood her disability, but she was aware of her difference before Anne Sullivan arrived.
Early self-awareness of her condition.
“I was strong, active, indifferent to consequences. I knew my own mind well enough and always had my own way, even if I had to fight tooth and nail for it.”
Helen was physically robust and determined, often insisting on getting what she wanted through force if necessary.
Description of Helen's willful nature as a child.