# Speech explained — The Story of My Life

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Life by Helen Keller.

## What happens

This chapter details Helen Keller's journey to learn oral speech, beginning with her natural impulse to vocalize and her determination to speak like others. With the help of Miss Sarah Fuller, she learned to articulate sounds and words, and later practiced tirelessly to improve her speech. The chapter includes Miss Sullivan's account of the process, Helen's address at the Mt. Airy meeting advocating for oral education for the deaf, and reflections on the value of speech in her life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Language and Communication

Central theme: Helen's journey to acquire oral speech as a more natural and universal medium of communication, overcoming the limitations of the manual alphabet.

### Overcoming Adversity

Helen's persistent efforts to learn to speak despite physical obstacles, her patience, and her determination to succeed against discouragements.

### Love and Friendship

Speech brings Helen closer to her family and friends, enabling tender relationships and companionship.

### Identity and Self-Expression

Helen's speech allows her to express her thoughts freely, asserting her identity and connecting with the world.

## Character check-ins

### Helen Keller

Describes her determination to learn to speak, her joy in using speech, and her address at the Mt. Airy meeting.

### Anne Sullivan

Provides an account of Helen's speech lessons, her initial reluctance to teach speech, and her support for Helen's practice.

### Sarah Fuller

Taught Helen the English sounds and began her formal speech instruction.

### Ragnhild Kaata

Mentioned as a deaf and blind Norwegian child who learned to speak, inspiring Helen.

### Laura Bridgman

Referenced as another deaf-blind individual who showed a desire to produce sounds.

### Kate Adams Keller

Mentioned as Helen's mother, who rejoices in Helen's ability to speak and whom Helen hopes to please with her voice.

### Captain Keller

Mentioned as Helen's father, with whom she discusses political situations.

### Mildred Keller

Mentioned as Helen's little sister, who loves to hear Helen tell stories.

## Key lines

> How do the blind girls know what to say with their mouths? Why do you not teach me to talk like them? Do deaf children ever learn to speak?

Helen asked Miss Sullivan how blind girls learn to speak and why she wasn't taught to talk like them, wondering if deaf children could ever learn to speak.

_This question marks the beginning of Helen's conscious desire to learn oral speech._

> One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

A person cannot be satisfied with crawling when they feel the urge to fly.

_Helen expresses her refusal to settle for limited communication when she aspires to speak freely._

> Be of good cheer. Do not think of todays failures, but of the success that may come

Stay encouraged and focus on future success rather than today's failures.

_Helen's advice to those learning to speak and their teachers, emphasizing perseverance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iv-speech
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters