Class notes for Class-10

I. Answer the following question in 200-250 words. 1. How did Helen spend the autumn months at the Fern Quarry? She spent her autumn months with her family at their summer cottage, called Fern Quarry because there was a deserted limestone quarry near it. It was situated on top of a mountain. In the woods around the Fern quarry grew great oaks and splendid evergreens with trunks like mossy pillars, from the branches of which hung garlands of ivy and mistletoe, and persimmon trees. The odour of these pervaded every nook and corner of the wood— an illusive, fragrance that made the heart glad. Helen spent most of her time in leisure in that beautiful landscape Their cottage was like a ‘rough camp’. Many visitors came to Fern Quarry. In the morning, all the men went off to hunt. Later in the morning, a barbecue was planned. In the evening, men played cards and talked about their hunting experiences. Helen had a pony She had named him ‘Black Beauty’ because of his strong...

I. Answer the following questions in 200 -250 words. 1. Why did Helen call Boston ‘the city of kind hearts’? Helen's experiences with kind people in Boston greatly influenced her thoughts about the city. Because of the people, Helen will forever equate Boston with kindness, welcome and compassion. The main example of someone who embodies the spirit of such welcoming hospitality would be Mr William Endicott. Helen tells us that she was thinking of Mr Endicott when she called Boston, ‘The City Of Kind Hearts’. Mr Endicott opens up his house to Helen and talks to her as if they are great friends who have always enjoyed each other's company. Another example is that of Mr Anagnos (director of the Perkins Institution For The Blind in Boston). When Helen's father writes to request a teacher for Helen, we are told that Mr. Anagnos answers with a 'kind letter' filled with 'the comforting assurance that a teacher had been found.' In May 1888, Hel...

I. Answer the following question in 200-250 words. 1. In ‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller, what kind of ‘peculiar sympathy’ did Miss Sullivan have with Helen's ‘pleasures and desires’? In The Story of My Life, Helen Keller's autobiography of the first twenty-two years of her life, Helen reveals the special relationship she has with Annie Sullivan. Helen remembers the day she met Anne as ‘the most important day in all my life’ and she is well aware of Anne's contribution to her own development. Anne is only partially sighted herself and has had her own difficult childhood which allows her to understand Helen's many frustrations. Anne could relate to Helen like no-one else could. It is this unsaid understanding or ‘peculiar sympathy’ which Helen refers to that allows Anne to help Helen achieve what she couldn’t otherwise. Helen admits that, because of Anne, she learns ‘from life itself’. She cannot explain it herself but does acknowledge Anne...

Answer the following question in 200 - 250 words. (a) From ‘The Story of My Life’, describe the relation between Helen Keller and Martha Washington. In the book - The Story of My Life Helen provides insight into her struggles to communicate. Before the arrival of her teacher, Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller sought out the companionship of Martha Washington, the African American child of the family cook. Helen and Martha developed a system of signs to communicate during play and Martha appeared to tolerate Helen’s eccentric behaviour. Martha understood Helen and needed little explanation of what Helen may want even recognizing when and where Helen wanted to go. She indulges her, understands her signs, and allows her to dominate their games. The two shared a great love for mischief which is probably one of the reasons why Helen related so well to her. They spent a great deal of time in the kitchen and the stables, doing a variety of tasks. Hunting for the eggs of t...