30 pages • 1 hour read
Margaret DavidsonHelen Keller
Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1969A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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BetaKey Figures
Helen Keller
Helen’s disabilities and the success she achieves in surmounting them are the focus of the book. When she is a young child, she is described as animal-like due to her inability to communicate or to be taught about socially acceptable behavior. It is only once she is disciplined by Anne Sullivan that she develops into a pleasant and friendly child. The acquisition of language through American Sign Language is life-changing for Helen. She demonstrates that she is an intelligent person who is an eager learner, excited and curious about the world around her. Her keen intellect serves her well, as it helps her to learn not only American Sign Language but also braille and later how to speak by controlling her throat. Her Dedication and Perseverance are also vital characteristics in her life story. Helen sets challenging goals for herself—such as attending and graduating from college—and then determinedly sets out achieving them. Though she is often frustrated by obstacles along the way, she does not allow these stumbling blocks to deter her entirely and instead continues to work until she overcomes each obstacle.
As a child, with the help of Anne, Helen is friendly and caring and thrives on social engagement with other children. Further, as she ages, she remains kindhearted and seeks to use her life story to inspire others. Through writing and lectures, she connects with an audience with whom she imparts the lessons she has learned by the challenges brought on by her disabilities. Rather than allowing her disabilities to restrict her, Helen seeks always to find ways to help others benefit from what she has endured.
Anne Sullivan
Helen’s instructor, Anne, plays an important role in multiple aspects of Helen’s life. Not only is Anne well-educated and knowledgeable about both American Sign Language and braille, but she is also a skilled and caring teacher. The book initially presents Anne as a stalwart and firm disciplinarian who is unwilling to give in to Helen’s temper tantrums. Importantly, Anne does this not out of any sort of meanness but in keeping Helen’s best interests at the forefront. She wisely knows that Helen must be broken of her ill behaviors first if she is ever to make any progress in learning to communicate. The physical attacks, scratches, kicking, and the like that Anne endures from Helen display both Anne’s toughness and her staunch Dedication and Perseverance.
Anne demonstrates unending patience in teaching Helen when she is young. Though Helen rather quickly memorizes the American Sign Language alphabet, she does not comprehend its use. Still, Anne refuses to give up, doggedly working with Helen again and again until she finally has a breakthrough. In this process, Helen grows to trust Anne and understands that she is an authority figure who will guide and protect her.
Once Anne has earned Helen’s trust, a friendship blossoms between them. Anne dedicates the rest of her life to Helen as her teacher, mentor, and companion. She provides Helen with a rich education in all aspects of life and exposes her to experiences that she would have not otherwise been able to have. Her commitment to Helen never wavers. Even when Anne is dubious, such as when Helen expresses a desire to attend college, she does not prevent Helen from attempting a goal. Indeed, Anne provides Helen with all of the support and help she needs to excel, embodying The Value of Mentorship.
Mr. and Mrs. Keller
Helen’s parents play a prominent role in the narrative. It is her mother who discovers Helen’s disabilities. She is deeply saddened by this, certain that these challenges mean that Helen is doomed to a meaningless and unfulfilling life. Her father, too, fears that Helen must be placed in a hospital for her disabilities. However, the Kellers persevere, taking Helen to countless doctors in hopes of learning that they might somehow help her. It is Mr. Keller who takes steps to secure instruction for Helen from the Perkins Institute, leading Helen to embrace The Power of Education and discover her abilities beyond her perceived limitations. Before Helen learns to communicate, however, her parents, unfortunately, facilitate her bad behavior by appeasing her temper tantrums. They do this out of a feeling of love and pity for Helen, understanding that her tantrums are a result of frustration and an inability to communicate otherwise. However, this ultimately stalls any progress that Anne might make. It is only when her parents are temporarily removed from her life that Helen is forced to learn to trust Anne, and thus her transformation unfolds.
Helen’s parents, however, remain devoted to Helen and are overjoyed by the skills she acquires. It is their love, dedication, support, and guidance that help her to have a fulfilling and meaningful life.
