The Story of My Life: Part II: Letters

by Helen Keller
This account of Helen Keller's life is divided into three parts: Part I is Keller's autobiography, which she published in 1903; Part II is a selection of Keller's letters; and Part III consists of supplementary materials by Keller's teacher and lifelong friend, Anne Sullivan.

Here are links to our lists for the text: Part I: Chapters 1-11, Part I: Chapters 12-23, Part II: Letters, Part III: Chapters 1-2, Part III: Chapters 3-5

Here is a link to the full text: The Story of My Life

Here is a link to our lists for William Gibson's play about Keller's life, The Miracle Worker.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. spontaneity
    the quality of coming from feelings without constraint
    Of her friends, many have been distinguished people, to whom — not often, I think, at the sacrifice of spontaneity — she has felt it necessary to write well.
  2. acquisition
    an ability that has been obtained by training
    I am very much delighted to hear of your new acquisition — that you "talk with your mouth" as well as with your fingers. What a curious thing SPEECH is!
  3. solicit
    request urgently or persistently
    She began to solicit contributions from her friends, and saved her pennies.
  4. menagerie
    a collection of live animals for study or display
    I love all living things, — I suppose everyone does; but of course I cannot have a menagerie.
  5. endeavor
    attempt by employing effort
    You will be pleased, dear Mother, to hear that a kind lady whose name is Miss Hooker is endeavoring to improve my speech.
  6. synecdoche
    using part of something to refer to the whole thing
    I know a great deal of it by heart, for I loved it long before I knew a metaphor from a synecdoche.
  7. facilitate
    make easier
    It is true that Algebra and Geometry are growing easier all the time, especially algebra; and I have just received books in raised print which will greatly facilitate my work....
  8. insipid
    lacking interest or significance or impact
    I feel ashamed sometimes, when I make that eloquent man say what sounds absurd or insipid; but how is a school-girl to interpret such genius?
  9. piquant
    engagingly stimulating or provocative
    It is a delightful novel, full of piquant expressions and thrilling adventures, (don't dare to blame me for using big words, since you do the same!) and, if you ever read it, I think you will enjoy it immensely.
  10. unprecedented
    novel; having no earlier occurrence
    Is it possible for the College to accommodate itself to these unprecedented conditions, so as to enable me to pursue my studies at Radcliffe?
  11. insurmountable
    not capable of being overcome
    I realize that the obstacles in the way of my receiving a college education are very great — to others they may seem insurmountable; but, dear Sir, a true soldier does not acknowledge defeat before the battle.
  12. feasible
    capable of being done with means at hand
    At first I was most enthusiastic in its support, and I never dreamed that any grave objections could be raised except indeed by those who are hostile to Teacher, but now, after thinking most SERIOUSLY and consulting my friends, I have decided that — 's plan is by no means feasible.
  13. elective
    not compulsory
    The courses at Radcliffe are elective, only certain courses in English are prescribed.
  14. precocious
    characterized by exceptionally early development
    I was much surprised to hear all this; for I judged from your letters that Katie was a very precocious girl....
  15. impotence
    the quality of lacking strength or power
    I think only those who have escaped that death-in-life existence, from which Laura Bridgman was rescued, can realize how isolated, how shrouded in darkness, how cramped by its own impotence is a soul without thought or faith or hope.
Created on Fri Sep 29 16:54:14 EDT 2017 (updated Mon Aug 11 11:53:16 EDT 2025)

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