Character Sketch Of Helen Keller

is the
main character in  which is a personal account of Helen's young life after
she has a debilitating illness as a baby and is rendered blind and deaf. Annie Sullivan,
Alexander Graham Bell and Mr Anagnos all change Helen's life dramatically and it is her first
meeting with Dr. Bell which starts the process of her education and her fulfillment. In chapter
III, Helen reflects how "that interview would be the door through which I should pass from
darkness into light." 

Helen is a very expressive person and once she
learns how to communicate, she is tireless in her efforts to learn as much as she can. She is
intuitive and very demanding of others but she finds joy in the simplest things and shows
appreciation through her acceptance and remarkable development. She is trusting and loving. Her
high expectations do result in disappointments and one of her greatest regrets is after she
unwittingly plagiarizes The Frost Fairies by Miss Margaret T. Canby which
affects her confidence and belief in herself and after which her relationship with the beloved
Mr Anagnos is irreparably damaged.  

Dr. Alexander Graham Bell is
compassionate and kindhearted and an incredibly gifted inventor (as history will confirm). Helen
dedicated The Story of My Life to him. He has a special relationship with
children, especially the deaf, and his methods ensure that children are motivated and
enthusiastic to learn. He is funny and immediately connects with Helen. He recommends The
Perkins' Institute to the family which will begin Helen's long and extremely demanding path to
learning.  

Annie comes from The Perkins' Institute for the Blind where she
learnt to manage and overcome her own difficulties and is the person whom Helen recognizes as
most significant in her education. Annie makes Helen "think" and the day she arrives
is "the most important day I remember in all my life," such is the impact which Annie
has on Helen's success. Annie is patient, determined and even stubborn, and it is her resolve
which ensures that Helen is given time to adapt and to learn "language." Annie is
visually impaired herself and, despite her young age and her complete lack of experience, she is
dedicated and wise. She takes every opportunity to teach Helen, whether it be during lessons or
out in the environment where she ensures that Helen has every opportunity to explore, discover
and overcome her fears. She will become Helen's constant companion to the point that Helen feels
that "the footsteps of my life are in hers."

Dr Anagnos is the
director of The Perkins' Institute for the Blind and he understands potential, encouraging Annie
as her mentor when she is uncertain whether she is ready to teach at the Keller's home. He
recognizes Helen's enormous capacity for learning and becomes a dear friend to her.
Unfortunately, although he claims to believe Helen, he is unable to shake the feeling that she
may have deceived him  in writing her version of Canby's story and he never regains his
unquestionable faith in her to the point of his attitude being "hostile and menacing"
(ch XIV). However, his contribution to Helen's amazing success and to the lives of many blind
children with whom Helen comes into contact is indisputable.