The Story of My Life · Chapter
Letters (1887–1901) explained
This chapter presents a collection of Helen Keller's personal letters from 1887 to 1901, revealing her thoughts, experiences, and relationships during her formative years.
What happens
This chapter presents a collection of Helen Keller's personal letters from 1887 to 1901, revealing her thoughts, experiences, and relationships during her formative years. The letters cover her travels, her joy in learning to speak, her interactions with notable figures such as John Greenleaf Whittier and Oliver Wendell Holmes, and her philanthropic efforts, including a tea for blind children. The chapter also touches on the difficult 'Frost King' episode and its aftermath.
Themes in this chapter
Language and Communication
Helen's letters demonstrate her mastery of written language and her joy in learning to speak, as seen in her letter to Miss Fuller.
Love and Friendship
Helen's letters are filled with expressions of love for her family, teachers, and friends, such as her affectionate letters to her mother and to poets like Whittier and Holmes.
Overcoming Adversity
The chapter references the 'Frost King' episode, a difficult period of accusation and unhappiness, which Helen and Miss Sullivan overcame.
Characters to notice
- Helen Keller
Author of the letters; expresses her thoughts on travel, learning, and her relationships with family and friends.
- Anne Sullivan
Helen's teacher and companion; accompanies Helen on journeys and supports her in learning and writing.
- Kate Adams Keller
Helen's mother; recipient of a letter describing Helen's journey to Boston and her longing for home.
- Michael Anagnos
Director of Perkins Institution; Helen visits him upon arrival in Boston and receives a watch from him.
- John Greenleaf Whittier
Poet; Helen writes him a birthday letter expressing admiration and affection.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Poet and physician; Helen writes to him after a visit, sharing her thoughts on reading and nature.
- Sarah Fuller
Teacher of speech; Helen writes to her joyfully about learning to speak and her desire to communicate with her family.
- Mildred Keller
Helen's younger sister; Helen expresses affection for her and hopes to speak to her.
Key passages
“I did not imagine, when I studied about the forests of Maine, that a strong and beautiful ship would go sailing all over the world, carrying wood from those rich forests, to build pleasant homes and schools and churches in distant countries.”
Helen reflects on how her studies of Maine's forests led to the creation of a ship named after her, which would carry timber to build homes and schools worldwide.
Helen expresses wonder at the real-world impact of her learning.
“My heart is full of joy this beautiful morning, because I have learned to speak many new words, and I can make a few sentences.”
Helen is overjoyed that she has learned to speak new words and form sentences.
Highlights Helen's excitement about her progress in speech.
“I used to think—when I was small, and before I could read—that everybody was always happy, and at first it made me very sad to know about pain and great sorrow; but now I know that we could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”
Helen reflects on her childhood belief that everyone was always happy, and how learning about pain taught her the value of bravery and patience.
Shows Helen's growing understanding of life's complexities.
