The Story of My Life was the first book by Helen Keller. Published when she was twenty-three, as a series in Ladies' Home Journal (1903), the articles were reproduced as a book only a year later. A reflection of Helen's life from an early age till her graduation from Radcliffe College, the early part of the narrative is based on incidents told to the author by her parents and teacher Anne Sullivan. It was Miss Sullivan who had encouraged Helen to pen the story of her life, relating the journey of a girl who overcame her visual and hearing disabilities, became proficient in several languages, went on to read the literature of various languages, as well as gained knowledge of mathematics and science. The arrival of Miss Sullivan in Helen's life is an important point in the narrative, indicating the young teacher's tremendous impact on the author's life. The latter part of the narrative depicts a more confident and sensitive Helen. It shows her increasing control over her life, her response to books, places and people, and a mind that was sensitive to the beauties of nature and literature.
Written at the beginning of the 20th century, Helen dedicated her book to Alexander Graham Bell, who had been working on technology to help people with disabilities. The story of Helen Keller's life is a celebration of the victory of human spirit and courage in the face of adversities. An amazing and awe-inspiring autobiography, The Story of My Life fills the readers with a deep sense of respect for the person who lived a remarkable life, and touched the hearts of millions by writing about it.
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The Ratna Sagar editions of classics for student offer:- A short biography of the author- Introduction to the book- Meanings of difficult and out of the way words and phrases- Summary of every chapter- An interpretation of the chapter in 'between the lines'- Questions to enhance understanding of the chapter- General questions at the end of the book for understanding the story as a whole- A list of suggested reading- Internet links related to the book
