Summary of ‘The Beginnings of a Miracle’ | English Literature Class 8

By Helen Keller

This tale recounts Helen Keller’s discovery of language, through the teaching of Annie Sullivan, after losing her sight and hearing in early childhood. When the Helen family comes to know about the illness, they are flabbergasted. Helen is sent to a blind school where she meets with a teacher Annie Sullivian. Helen is lost and often throws tantrums but Annie reaches out to her through language. She teaches Helen to hand-spell many words. Helen follows pursuit like a memorising game. Next annie tries to teach her discipline. But having brought up as a lone child in her house, Helen throws tantrums and out of force of habit she throws the pitch of water at Annie. Annie forces Helen to refill the jar, when Helen realises that each and every item has a name. In the end, Annie and Helen travel to the Perkinsons institute and Helen realises that she is not alone anymore.