The Story of My Life

In her autobiography, The Story of My Life, Helen Keller recounts her early childhood through to her college years, outlining the various wonders and struggles she encountered on the way to achieving her dream.

Growing up in a small Alabama town, Keller suffers an illness just shy of her second birthday which robs her of her eyesight and hearing. She finds herself isolated due to her disabilities and her inability to communicate or be understood by others. Keller’s frustration and depression manifest themselves in temper tantrums which steadily grow out of control. In desperation, her parents take her to Baltimore to be evaluated by a prominent eye doctor. Although he cannot help Keller, he recommends her parents contact Dr. Alexander Graham Bell in Washington, who in turn connects them with Mr. Anagnos from the Perkins Institution. From there, Miss Sullivan is sent to Keller’s home as a tutor for the young girl. Sullivan’s arrival changes Keller’s life, bringing her out from the darkness of her mind into the light of the world.

From Miss Sullivan, Keller learns to love nature and education, particularly reading. For a child who had felt isolated and trapped, these gifts allow her to use her imagination and to begin to define who she is as an individual. These were essential foundations for Keller’s confidence and self-esteem, both of which were to be frequently challenged in the coming years.

As her education continues, Keller learns a series of valuable lessons, one of which involves the accidental plagiarism of a short story. Although Keller is found innocent of intent, her confidence is shaken, and it takes her some time to recover from the scars left by the incident and the supportive friend lost in the process.

Keller has a series of adventures and trips with Miss Sullivan always by her side. She begins to learn how to speak aloud, giving her power she previously has not owned. Ultimately, Keller determines that she wants to attend college, and her parents do everything possible to make that happen. Keller is enrolled in the Cambridge School for Young Ladies wherein she would, upon passing her exams, be allowed to apply for admission into Radcliffe.

Despite the obstacles before her and the disadvantages she has to contend with due to her disabilities, Keller presses on, refusing to give up her dream. With great perseverance, and with the help of her teacher, friends, and family, Keller passes her courses and enters Radcliffe. Even though a college education is not what she had imagined it would be, Keller learns to value analysis and different ways of examining subject matter. She still prefers to reflect on the feelings she has from her studies rather than minute information, but she understands the importance of studying topics in this way.

Keller succeeds in achieving her dream and in overcoming obstacles that most people would not be able to defeat. Her determination to become an educated, well-rounded person makes for an inspiring and stirring autobiography.