The Story of My Life · Chapter
XIII explained
Helen Keller describes her journey to learn to speak, beginning in the spring of 1890.
What happens
Helen Keller describes her journey to learn to speak, beginning in the spring of 1890. Inspired by the story of Ragnhild Kaata, a deaf-blind girl who learned to speak, Helen resolves to do the same. She takes lessons from Miss Sarah Fuller at the Horace Mann School, learning six elements of speech in her first hour. Helen practices tirelessly, relying on touch to feel the vibrations and movements of her teacher's lips and throat. She returns home to Tuscumbia, where she joyfully speaks to her family, fulfilling a deep longing for vocal communication.
Themes in this chapter
Language and Communication
Helen's intense effort to learn spoken language and the breakthrough of uttering her first sentence, 'It is warm.'
Overcoming Adversity
Helen's perseverance through discouragement and weariness to achieve natural speech, driven by the desire to communicate with her family.
Love and Friendship
The support of Miss Sullivan and Miss Fuller, and the joyful reunion with her family who delight in her new ability to speak.
Characters to notice
- Helen Keller
Describes her determination to learn to speak and the joy of uttering her first connected sentence.
- Anne Sullivan
Assists Helen constantly in her speech practice and continues to correct her pronunciation.
- Sarah Fuller
Principal of the Horace Mann School who teaches Helen the elements of speech.
- Ragnhild Kaata
A deaf-blind girl in Norway whose success in learning to speak inspires Helen.
- Kate Adams Keller
Helen's mother, who embraces her speechlessly with delight upon her return home.
- Mildred Keller
Helen's little sister, who runs to her when called and kisses her hand at the station.
- Captain Keller
Helen's father, who expresses his pride and affection in silence at the station.
- Laura Bridgman
Mentioned as a former student of Mrs. Lamson, who taught her before visiting Helen.
Key passages
“I shall never forget the surprise and delight I felt when I uttered my first connected sentence, 'It is warm.'”
Helen recalls the unforgettable thrill of speaking her first full sentence, 'It is warm.'
Highlights the emotional breakthrough of producing intelligible speech.
“My soul, conscious of new strength, came out of bondage, and was reaching through those broken symbols of speech to all knowledge and all faith.”
Helen felt her spirit liberated as she used imperfect words to connect with knowledge and belief.
Metaphorically describes speech as a release from silence and a gateway to understanding.
“It is an unspeakable boon to me to be able to speak in winged words that need no interpretation.”
Helen considers the ability to speak directly a priceless gift, as words fly freely without needing translation.
Expresses the profound value of vocal communication over manual spelling.