1)-- Helen's childhood and the incident that left her
blind and deaf.

Helen had a fantastic childhood. She got all the love, care,
and attention that the first baby in a family does. She was an eager and
dominating child. When she was six she could say a few phrases and short
sentences. She started walking when she was just a year old. However, the
bright and happy childhood of Helen was darkened in the month of February in
1882. She was affected by an acute congestion of the stomach and brain that
deprived her of her seeing and hearing abilities. The doctor thought she would
survive; but Helen recovered mysteriously. However, soon it was found she could
neither see nor hear.

2. Helen’s early childhood before she was affected
by mysterious illness that impaired her seeing and hearing ability permanently.

Helen's early childhood was much like every other child's
childhood. She was the first baby in the family, and thus darling of everyone.
Since nature was abundant around her home, she took immense pleasure in
exploring her beauty. She used to wander happily from spot to spot. She
compared the beauty of her garden to the beauty of God's garden. At six months
age, Helen could say "How d' ye", and one day she began saying
"Tea, tea, tea"quite plainly. She was a very energetic, talented and
promising child before the illness disabled her forever.

3. Narrate two incidents to prove that Helen indulged in
pranks unmindful of their consequences.

Helen as a child was very mischievous and often indulged in
playing pranks on others. Once she spilled water on her apron, and she spread
it out to dry before the fire. She wanted it to dry fast; so she drew nearer
and threw it over the hot ashes. The flames encircled her, her clothes caught
fire. Her screams were heard by her nurse, Viny, who saved her. In another
incident, she locked her mother in the pantry. She had to remain locked there
for hours before the servants unlocked the door. There are many other similar
pranks that Helen played.

4. Helen's state of mind before her education
began. Why does she compare herself to ship caught in a fog?

Before Miss Sullivan's advent in her life, Helen was living
a frustrated life; she had so many ideas in her mind that she wanted to
express; she had so many unanswered questions; apart from these, she had a
faint recollection of days before she fell ill and became disabled. She felt
living in the darkness and incessant silence. Her inability to see, hear and
speak often were the causes of her tantrums. She compares that helpless state
to a ship caught in the dense fog. However, Miss Sullivan's arrival brought
joy, hope and uncountable blessings for Helen. With Miss Sullivan’s arrival,
she came to know about the secret of language. She had a purpose in her life
now. She looked forward to each new day. she became busy in learning new things
everyday.

5. the 'the most important day of my life' as Helen
calls it in her autobiography..............

The most important day in her life as Helen calls it in her autobiography was the day when her teacher, Miss Sullivan arrived at her home in Tuscumbia. Her parents had finally succeeded in arranging a teacher for their special child. Helen calls it the most important day, because Helen had been leading an utterly dark, frustrated and meaningless life until the time her teacher arrived. She, like an angel, brought along hope and promise for better days. Miss Sullivan taught Helen the secrets of language. Now Helen found meaning in everything. Before Miss Sullivan's arrival Helen felt like a ship caught in dense fog. Miss Sullivan provided compass and rudder to that ship.
6. How did Miss Sullivan teach Keller the connection between
words and meanings?

Miss Sullivan was an expert teacher who was trained to teach
the blind children. However, she had to be very patient and innovative while
teaching Helen as she had hearing disability too. Miss Sullivan would often
write the spelling of the object on Helen's hand after allowing her to touch
it. For example after giving her doll for a while, she would spell the word
"d-o-l-l" on her hand. Miss Sullivan had to face a great difficulty
many times making things clear to Helen. Once Helen got stuck at knowing the difference
between 'water' and 'mug'. Miss Sullivan took Helen out; she put her hand under
the spout and let Helen feel the cool stream on one hand, and on her other hand
Miss Sullivan spelled the word "w-a-t-e-r". That living word awakened
her soul to the secret of learning words with their meanings.


i hope it's helpful for us....