In The Story of My Life, why does Helen tell us about her interest in things other than reading? How does this add to our understanding of her...

Helen Keller was only 23 years old when she wrote this memoir. To those of us who can see and hear, especially, she offers explanations about what her daily life is like, without the use of these senses. Certainly, she doesn’t just sit in a corner alone and be remorseful. She wants to show that she can do just about anything anyone else can do. In Chapter 22, she talks about going rowing, sailing, and...

Helen Keller was only 23 years old when she wrote this memoir. To those of us who can see and hear, especially, she offers explanations about what her daily life is like, without the use of these senses. Certainly, she doesn’t just sit in a corner alone and be remorseful. She wants to show that she can do just about anything anyone else can do. In Chapter 22, she talks about going rowing, sailing, and canoeing. She likes interacting with trees and with dogs. She knits and crochets, and even plays board games and cards with friends. She goes to museums and touches the sculptures. She goes to theaters and meets some of the actors. The richness of her life shouldn’t surprise us, given her take-charge personality and her sensitivity to everything around her.

People who think that all sensations reach us through the eye and the ear have expressed surprise that I should notice any difference, except possibly the absence of pavements, between walking in city streets and in country roads. They forget that my whole body is alive to the conditions about me.

And yet, there are times when her circumstances weigh her down. But she has found a way to rise above depression.

Sometimes, it is true, a sense of isolation enfolds me like a cold mist as I sit alone and wait at life’s shut gate. Beyond there is light, and music, and sweet companionship; but I may not enter. … Then comes hope with a smile and whispers, ‘There is joy in self-forgetfulness.’ So I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness.

She finds joy in interacting positively with other people, too. Her inspirational story prods readers to wonder if they could do everything Helen does, if they were challenged with the same physical limitations.