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Summary: Accomplishments of a Lifetime
Review: "The Story of My Life," by Helen Keller is a classic memoir with a couple of exceptions. Keller had a special talent. Her talent was to write novels, even though she was deaf and blind.
Helen is first shown as an attention seeking brat that will stop at nothing to destroy her parents' life. The other main character and teacher is Ann Sullivan, who never pressured Helen into doing something. Their relationship began to change with time. They became good friends and instead of Anne teaching Helen, they learned from each other.
My final thoughts on this book are, she should have written about her whole life instead of writing about her life until she was twenty. I didn't like the second half of this book because it was all letters. It shows her true writing but it's not exciting or interesting. I give this book a C+ because it is inspirational but not all that interesting. I would recommend it to younger readers as well because the vocabulary is easy to understand.
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Summary: Where Heart and Depth Transcend the Mind
Review: .
A book to read that is of the warmness of soul, an account that conveys love and realness. The body and the mind are only the peripheries, for it is the soul or consciousness that is of the real person. So when the mind is expanded in knowledge and intellect, one can find erroneously enter in it's subjectivity defining such as the real self or one can use such intellectualism as an instrument of the consciousness and view objectively. This then allows the heart and feelings to penetrate, in turn the mind is transcended, one goes beyond the mind to the real inner self. And when this occurs the result culminates in the most beautiful and extraordinary person. Such is the case of Helen Keller.Her fingers found expression, felt emotion and penetrated the surface into the feelings and depth in the person she encountered, in the words that she read and in the vibrations that she felt. I have read in the East, that consciousness does not come to us solely through the eyes and ears, but when such peripheries are down we can perceive in much more strength through other senses. "I derive genuine pleasure from touching great works of art. As my finger tips trace line and curve, they discover the thought and emotion which the artist has portrayed. I can feel in the faces of gods and heroes hate, courage and love, just as I can detect them in living faces I am permitted to touch." P. 68 In a letter she received from Mr. Gilder, Helen wrote, "In a letter he wrote me he made his mark under his signature deep in the paper so that I could feel it." . . . and " I feel the twinkle of his eye in the handshake." P. 75 Case in point is that of poetry. What the average school teacher and intellectual defines in art and poetry are the stanzas, the numerical structures and literary criticism. Now this actually destroys such forms of art. But what intellectual, a person that uses their head without the heart can fathom any understanding beyond such? Helen wrote: "Great poetry, whether in English or Greek, needs no other interpreter than a responsive heart. Would that the host of those who make the great works of the poets odious by their analysis, impositions and laborious comments might learn this simple truth! It is not necessary that one should be able to define every word and give it its principal parts and its grammatical position in the sentence in order to understand and appreciate a fine poem." p. 59 Not only did she find the external world but went to the university and went further in learning and knowledge than most. But it is her understanding and diligence, her positivism and depth that this autobiography conveys. After reading her account, I can say that if I could love another person, I have fallen in love with Helen. "Is it not true, then, that my life with all its limitations touches at many points the lif of the World Beautiful? Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.
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Summary: The Story of my Life A reveiw By Chelsea Cooper
Review: A little girl's life has barely any happiness. She has no idea about the beauty of the world. She is eventually "saved" by her teacher in Helen Keller's heart touching autobiography The Story Of My Life. Helen Keller lived in a small house (later a larger one) in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was born on June 27, 1880. As a young toddler full of life, she was fast on her way to talking.
Suddenly, at 19 months of age, a terrible disease struck her. The doctors knew she was very ill and thought she would not live. Although she did live, the disease left her deaf and blind and trapped in a world she wasn't familiar with. This terrible tragedy left her family really shaken. Because she was disabled, her parents often gave in to her every wish. By the time Helen was 7 years old she was an angry, wild and often disruptive child. Her mother knew she was a bright little girl but didn't know how to reach her. She knew she must get her help. Helen was locked up inside herself and her desire to communicate was growing. The family was advised to consult Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, of Washington, who recommended they write to the director of the Perkins Institution in Boston. The needed a teacher who was qualified enough to begin her education. March 3, 1887 became one of the most important days of Helen's life. Anne Sullivan, her new teacher, would help Helen out of her isolation and open her to the gifts of knowledge. In the beginning, Helen easily got confused about what Anne was trying to teach her. Then there was the great day when she placed Helens hand under some water while at the same time spelling w-a-t-e-r on her other palm. This was a true joy to Helen because she made the connection; she knew what water was! Learning this word opened her, gave her such hope and joy! She knew she would learn. She felt proud and confident. Her temper tantrums were reduced and she became eager to learn more and more. The whole first summer Anne was with her she did nothing but explore with her hands and learned the name of every object she touched. Once Helen had the key to language she was eager to do more. She learned to read, do some arithmetic (not her favorite) and even studied zoology. In May 1888 Helen took a trip to the Perkins Institution in Boston. During the train ride, Miss Sullivan described all of the scenery along the way to Helen. Helen loved this! She would imagine it all with every word Miss Sullivan drew on her palm. At the Perkins school, Helen made many friends. What a joy it was for her to talk with children her own age. She never imagined that there were other children in the world with the same problems she had. With school, friends and communication her life was so much fuller than she ever dreamed it would or could be. She spent all of her winters in Boston after this first trip. In 1890 Helen learned to speak. The impulse to utter sounds was always strong for her.
She was taught by the principle of the Horace Mann School, Miss Sarah Fuller. She took Helens hands and ran them lightly over her face when she made different sounds. After 11 lessons she was able to speak. Her first sentence, a true thrill, was "It is warm." She
Couldn't wait to speak with her own family. One of the happiest moments of her life was the first time she spoke to her Mother, Father, and Sister. In October 1896 Helen entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies to be prepared for Radcliffe. Miss Sullivan attended classes with Helen and would help interpret instructions given. She studied English History, Literature, German, Latin, and Math. Helen was working wonders but also working to hard. In 1898 Mr. Keith began to tutor her and for eight months gave her lessons five times per week. She was on her way to her dream of college. In the fall of 1900 this dream of going to college came true. She was officially a student at Radcliffe. She began her studies with such eagerness. She saw a new world opening and felt the capacity to know all things. After awhile she felt some disadvantages about going to college. Helen liked to take her time and sit, think, reflect. She felt people were going to college to learn without a lot of time to think. She loved her time with her books. Reading at her pace and really thinking about what she was reading. Along with her love of reading she had a love of many other pleasures. She learned to row a boat, to swim, the go canoeing and to sail. She loved being on the water. Because her world was unlocked for her she seemed to cherish everything she did. Helen Keller's life should be an inspiration to anyone with or without any type of handicap. Her story is truly inspirational for the sighted and the blind, the deaf and the hearing, the young and the old. It shows us you can over come anything when you put your heart and mind to it. With each step you take towards a goal, you can become more excited and encouraged to continue on a path that will take you to what you are working and wishing for.
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Summary: A Classic Story by a Woman With Disabilities
Review: Every woman with a serious illness or disability needs to read or reread this classic book by Helen Keller. Her life was one of goodness, grace and dignity in spite of being deaf and blind. The hardships she endured made her a strong woman in the same sense that Franklin Roosevelt's recovery from polio made him stronger. Because the book was written by Helen Keller herself, if gives us the best glimpse of her life.
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Summary: has its limitations
Review: frankly, kind of dull. if this were the only book by or about helen keller, i would rate it higher, because she is fascinating as a subject for my imagination, but when this book is taken within the context of her other more insightful and revealing works (written later, when she was more mature, not 22) and of Herrmann's fuller, richer biography on her, this book pales. also, it reads at times like a list of her intellectual achievements, almost like she's out to prove to the world just how brilliant and "super-normal" a person with her disabilities can be. i write this not to belittle her achievements, which are phenomenal, but after a while i just wish she'd talk about something different...deeper...more emotionally real. thank god for herrmann's biography on her!
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Summary: Good book
Review: Good Boo
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Summary: An extraordinary woman; an inspiring story
Review: Helen Keller (1880-1968) is a revered figure in American popular culture. Struck deaf and blind by illness at the age of 19 months, she still managed to get an education and become a writer and activist. Her story was further popularized by William Gibson's play "The Miracle Worker," which was also adapted for both film and television. Keller's autobiography, "The Story of My Life," first appeared in installments in "Ladies' Home Journal" in 1902. This book is truly one of the great American autobiographies: an inspiring story of a courageous individual who overcame tremendous odds. Keller writes about many things: her childhood in Alabama; her relationship with her beloved teacher, Anne Sullivan; her attendance at the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in New York City; and meeting such eminent figures as Mark Twain. She especially stresses her love of literature, which she describes as "my Utopia." Along the way are some fascinating details and profoundly moving passages. Her tribute to the Homer, the blind poet of ancient Greece, is particularly powerful. I also loved her interpretation of the biblical Book of Ruth: a story of "love which can rise above conflicting creeds and deep-seated racial prejudices." I think that many will regard Keller's autobiography as a mere historical or sociological document. But I think the book deserves a place as a great work of literature, and moreover as a work of literature in the great American tradition. Keller's poetic, often sensuous words about the natural world are comparable to the work of Emily Dickinson. And her stirring account of her revelatory awareness of language reminds me of Frederick Douglass' account of his first awareness of the power of literacy. The book as a whole is enhanced by Keller's charming, likeable literary style. "The Story of My Life" is a wonderful book by an amazing individual. Helen Keller still has, I believe, much to say to contemporary audiences.
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Summary: Helen Keller- The Story of My Life
Review: Helen Keller- The Story of My Life
By: Helen Keller
Reveiwed by: J. Yang
Period: P.4 In the first nineteen months of Helen Keller's life, she is a normal child like us. Suddenly, a high fever gets on Helen Keller and makes her deaf and blind. Forever, she is in a dark, silent world. Anne Sullivan is Helen's teacher. She teaches Helen how to communicate with signs and gestures. Helen Keller also learns to read and write. What I liked about this book is that it is very deltailed. The story gives details on Helen's feelings, the enviroment, and whatever Helen Keller feels. "On the afternoon of that eventful day, I stood on the porch, dumb, expectant." You can actually feel how Helen Keller feels. When I read this book, I always feel how Helen feels. I guess the book is very descriptive! Another thing I liked in this book was when Helen Keller was learning. Anne Sullivan is a great, loving teacher. Anne loved Helen. "Miss Sullivan put her arm gently round me and spelled into my hand, "I love Helen."" Helen asks about what was love, and Anne Sullivan said to her that love is in your heart. Anne is a very passionate person. My favorite part of the book was when Helen went to the sea. She went with Anne Sullivan. Helen went into the sea for her first swim. All the waves were splashing on her. Helen Keller drank some of the water up and then she said, "Who put salt in the water?" Finally, Anne Sullivan carried Helen out of the water for a little rest.
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Summary: Student Review
Review: Helen Keller Helen Keller starts off with her childhood and how she interacted with the people around her. She expresses great emotions towards people and her passions. She has great description about her childhood and has you evolved in her life somewhat. She shows great "show don't tell "throughout her story. The only thing that is upsetting is this story is titled the story of my life and this is only the first part of her life. The ending letters expresses more about her on a more personal basis.
When dealing with Helen Keller's acute illness that left her deaf and blind, commutating with others was a frustration. Her frustration soon turned to brilliance and Helen found different ways to commutate with her parents. Using hand signals, she taught herself to learn. As a deaf and blind student, she studied subject such as Greek, algebra, Latin and many other subjects. The end of her story talks of her graduation from Radcliff College.
This book of Helen Keller shows how life can be hard but it was even harder for her because of her disability this book opens your eyes to make you enjoy your life you take for granite and that's why this book is a wonderful master peace of writing.
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Summary: A Rare Perspective
Review: How often can we really delve into the life of the blind? When we ourselves are not blind. How about understanding what it's like to be deaf? Or what about living most of life unable to speak?
Helen Keller experienced them all and lived with all of these conditions in a most miraculous way. This is a woman who overcame many obstacles.
I remember watching a video of the Miracle Worker in 7th grade and have always been inspired by the story of Anne Sullivan breaking through the wall that surrounded her young student, Helen Keller.
This particular book gives you the story from the other side. I can only imagine what it was like to be young Helen Keller trapped in a dark, soundless world unable to speak. Her short autobiography is stunningly optimistic. This is a woman who met challenges and took them head on.
Her story is one of triumph in the face of set backs. She never let her condition be a stumbling block but always a stepping stone.
This story is a marvelous picture of the many accomplishments of Helen Keller. It is called "The Story of My Life". It should be called, "The Story of My Remarkable Life".
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