# Helen Keller — The Story of My Life character guide > Helen Keller in The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Helen, Helen A. Keller, Helen Adams Keller, Miss Keller, little Helen, the new Helen **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-story-of-my-life ## Snapshot A girl sealed inside silence and darkness who discovers language, and through it the whole world, in this landmark autobiography of her own awakening. ## Who they are Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen loses sight and hearing as an infant and grows up wild, unreachable, and furious with longing until a teacher arrives who can touch her mind. Writing as an adult, she admits she paints the child's experience in fantasy, and that fact and fancy look alike across the years. Her hunger to name everything — trees, seasons, the people she loves — drives the book's early and middle chapters, where each new word is a door thrown open. ## Relationships ### [Kate Adams Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/kate_adams_keller) _family_ Helen's mother, who provided unwavering love and support throughout her life. ### [Anne Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/anne_sullivan) _professional_ Anne was Helen's dedicated teacher and lifelong companion, who broke through her isolation. ### [Michael Anagnos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/michael_anagnos) _professional_ Anagnos was the director of the Perkins Institution who supported Helen's early education. ### [Alexander Graham Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/alexander_graham_bell) _friendship_ Bell was a kind mentor and advocate who helped connect Helen with resources and education. ### [Tommy Stringer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/tommy_stringer) _friendship_ Tommy was a fellow deafblind student at Perkins who became Helen's close companion. ### [Captain Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/captain_keller) _family_ Helen's father, who was loving but initially struggled to understand her condition. ### [Samuel Gridley Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/samuel_gridley_howe) _social_ Helen admired Howe as a historical figure and pioneer in deafblind education. ### [Viney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/viney) _social_ Viney was a servant in the Keller household who helped care for young Helen. ### [Robert E. Lee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/robert_e_lee) _social_ Helen met General Lee briefly as a child; he showed her kindness and gave her a gift. ### [Laura Bridgman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/laura_bridgman) _social_ Helen was inspired by Laura, the first deafblind person to be formally educated, as a role model. ### [James Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/james_keller) _family_ James was Helen's half-brother, with whom she had a warm sibling relationship. ### [Phillips Brooks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/phillips_brooks) _friendship_ Brooks was a beloved clergyman who provided spiritual guidance and friendship to Helen. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/dedication) The author who dedicates her story to Alexander Graham Bell. ### [Editor’s Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/editor-s-preface) Subject of the autobiography; her story and letters form the first two parts of the book. ### [The Story of My Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/the-story-of-my-life) The author and protagonist, reflecting on her early childhood and transformation. ### [The Story of My Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/i-the-story-of-my-life) Narrator and subject of the autobiography, reflecting on her early childhood and the onset of her disabilities. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/i) The author and narrator, reflecting on her early childhood and the onset of her illness. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and subject of the chapter; describes her early childhood, frustrations, and mischievous acts. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iii) Describes her intense desire to express herself and the frustration leading to daily outbursts. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; experiences a profound breakthrough in understanding language at the well-pump. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/v) Narrator and protagonist; experiences both the delight of learning about nature and the terror of being trapped in a tree during a thunderstorm. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on her journey from naming objects to understanding abstract ideas like love and thought. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/vii) Narrator and central figure; reflects on her early education and joyful learning experiences. ### [The First Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and central figure experiencing the joy of Christmas and the loss of her canary. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/ix) Narrates her visit to Boston, reflecting on her growth and experiences. ### [The Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/x) Narrator and protagonist; experiences the ocean for the first time, nearly drowns, and later captures a horseshoe crab. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and protagonist, reflecting on her joyful return home and adventures at Fern Quarry. ### [Winter's Enchantment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xii) Narrates her sensory and emotional experience of winter, including snowstorms and tobogganing. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xiii) Describes her determination to learn to speak and the joy of uttering her first connected sentence. ### [The Frost King Incident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xiv) The author and narrator, who experiences the trauma of being accused of plagiarism and struggles with the fear that her writing may not be original. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xv) Reflects on the aftermath of the 'Frost King' incident, struggles with self-doubt, and writes a sketch of her life. Visits Niagara and the World's Fair. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xvi) Narrator and protagonist; describes her self-study and formal lessons. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xvii) Attends the Wright-Humason School, studies various subjects, and experiences both progress and disappointment in speech and lipreading. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xviii) Narrator and protagonist; enters Cambridge School to prepare for Radcliffe. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xix) Narrates her struggles and determination during her second year at Gilman School and subsequent preparation for Radcliffe College. ### [College](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xx) Narrates her first day at Radcliffe, her studies, and her reflections on college life. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xxi) Narrator and protagonist, reflecting on her reading journey and the impact of books on her education. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xxii) Narrator and protagonist; describes her sensory experiences of city and country, her love of cycling, games, and art, and her interactions with children and actors. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/xxiii) Narrator and central figure, reflecting on her friendships and spiritual growth. ### [II: Letters (1887–1901)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/ii-letters-1887-1901) Author of the letters, providing firsthand account of her education and experiences. ### [Letters (1887–1901)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/letters-1887-1901) Author of the letters; expresses her thoughts on travel, learning, and her relationships with family and friends. ### [III: A Supplementary Account of Helen Keller’s Life and Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iii-a-supplementary-account-of-helen-keller-s-life-and-education) The author and subject of the supplementary account, reflecting on her life and education. ### [The Writing of the Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/i-the-writing-of-the-book) The author of the autobiography, who wrote and revised her story under challenging conditions, using a typewriter and braille machine. ### [Personality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/ii-personality) The subject of the chapter; her personality, humor, courage, and determination are explored in depth. ### [III: Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iii-education) The pupil whose education is the central focus of the chapter, showing rapid progress in language acquisition and deep emotional engagement with literature. ### [Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/iv-speech) Describes her determination to learn to speak, her joy in using speech, and her address at the Mt. Airy meeting. ### [Literary Style](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/v-literary-style) Subject of the chapter; her literary style and the 'Frost King' incident are analyzed. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in multiple endnotes regarding her letters, speech, and the Frost King incident. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Author of the letter, expressing her sentiments about Mr. Brooks's new role. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters/helen_keller - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_life_se/characters