If You Give Me Three Days of Light: The Best Collection of Helen Keller

Chapter 10 My Life (8)
Although this kind of effort is far from enough for the grand goal; but in any case, in the rainy days, I can always have something to do.In this way, my knowledge of French was sufficient to read with interest passages from Molière's "The Healer", La Fontaine's "Fables" and Racine's "Adhale".

I also spend a lot of time improving my speaking skills.I read the text aloud to Mrs. Sullivan, reciting my favorite passages of poetry, while she corrected my pronunciation and helped me break sentences and change word forms.In short, it was not until October, 1893, after I had recovered from the fatigue and excitement of my visit to the World's Fair, that I began to study fixed lessons at fixed times.

At that time, Mrs. Sullivan and I were in Holden, Pennsylvania, on a special trip to visit Mr. William Wade's family.Mr. Ian is a neighbor of Mr. Wade's family. He is an excellent Latin scholar, so it is logical to learn Latin from him.In class, Mrs. Sullivan was sitting next to me. She would spell out what Mr. Ian said on my hand, and help me look up new words.In my memory, Mr. Ian is an outstanding person who is naturally optimistic and knowledgeable.He taught me mainly Latin grammar, but he also often helped me with arithmetic problems, which were too much of a headache for me.

Mr. Iron and I read Tennyson's "In Memoriam."Although I have read many books before, I have never seen any critical point of view. This is the first time I have met a writer with speculative thinking. I admire his writing style. Like a friend shaking hands, it is warm and cordial.

At the beginning, I didn't like learning Latin very much.Since it has to do noun attribute, possessive, singular, feminine for every single word, it seems to me a stupid waste of time, as if I were using a biological taxonomy to understand my breed like a cat.Order, vertebrates; Department, quadrupeds; Class, mammals; Genus, Felidae; Individual, tabby cat.But with the deepening of my study, I became more and more interested, and the beauty of the language is beyond words.I often amuse myself by reading Latin passages, picking out the words I have learned and absorbing their meanings.For the rest of my life I never ceased this pastime.

I'm only just beginning to get acquainted with the language, but already, my mind has traveled across the mental sky, which has been reshaped and colored by fleeting fantasies.I think there is nothing more fascinating than the ephemeral images and emotions produced by a language.

When I set off to return to my hometown in Alabama, I was already able to read Caesar's "Gallic War" in the Latin I had learned.

Studying and Living in New York

In the summer of 1894 I attended the cultural workshops given by the American Association for the Advancement of the Language Education of the Deaf at Lake Chautauqua.There I was placed at the Wright Humason School for the Deaf in New York City. I went there in October, 1894, in the company of Mr. Sullivan.This is a school specially built for the development of advanced vocal culture and lip-reading training.In addition to the compulsory subjects, I also studied arithmetic, physical geography, French and German during the two years of studying at this school.

My German teacher was Miss Remy, who could communicate with me using the sign language alphabet, and after I had mastered a small amount of vocabulary, we used every opportunity to talk in German.After just a few months, I could understand almost anything she had to say.Towards the end of my first year I read with great interest the novel William Tell.

I think I have made far more progress in German than in other subjects, and to be honest, I struggled a bit with other subjects, especially French, which is quite difficult.I was taught French by Mrs. Olivier. This French lady does not understand the sign language alphabet, so she can only dictate the lessons, and it is not easy to read her lips, so I learned French faster than German. much slower.Although Madame Olivier and I have worked together to move forward, we still have not reached our ideal goal.I think maybe the goal is set too high, so disappointment is inevitable.Even so, I managed to re-read "The Beatles", and while it's also very interesting, I prefer "William Tell" by comparison.

In addition, I still regard arithmetic as a subject full of traps. Whenever I have a problem that I don't understand, I will "speculate" instead of "reasoning". It made my understanding more difficult.It also brought endless troubles to myself and the teacher.But when I no longer "guess" and readily accept various conclusions, the final result can only be wrong and wrong.

Although these disappointing things made me depressed for a while, my interest in studying other subjects, especially physical geography, remained undiminished.It is a pleasure to understand the mysteries of nature: how the wind blows from all directions, how water vapor rises from the ends of the earth to the sky, how rivers cut through the rocky cliffs, how mountains Overwhelmed by the earth, how did human beings overcome the forces of nature that are much stronger than themselves.

These two years in New York were a pleasant time, and every time I think about it, I feel happy from the bottom of my heart.I especially remember my daily walks in Central Park with Mr. Sullivan. For me, this is the only place in the city that I feel satisfied with.I have never missed a little bit of happiness in this big park.I like to describe every walk in the park, because the beauty here is everywhere, and the nine months I have been in New York can be felt every day.

In spring, we travel to various interesting places.We sailed on the Hudson River and wandered on the banks of the grassy banks sung by Bryant. I like the simple and majestic wild beauty of the cliffs by the river.Along the river, we visited West Point, visited Washington and Irving's hometown of Terry Township, and we also walked through "Sleepy Hollow" once.

The teachers of Wright Humason School consider everything from the perspective of students when educating students. They will take students' interests as the starting point of teaching, and rarely indoctrinate students. Moreover, they will lead these disabled children out of the Jian astringent living environment.

When I was about to leave New York, the happy times were gone, replaced by an infinite sorrow; second only to the death of my father.

In February, 1896, Mr. John P. Spaulding of Boston died.Only those who knew him and respected him can understand the depth of our friendship.In the past, as long as Mr. Spaulding was by our side, no matter how difficult we encountered in life and study, we would not feel discouraged and helpless, because he brought joy to everyone around us with his humble and elegant attitude. A person, he gave me and Mr. Sullivan the most generous and selfless care.Whenever we think of His loving kindness, we immediately see His concern.Mr. Spaulding's death has left a gap in our lives that no one can fill.

Cambridge Girls' High School
In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge Ladies' School in preparation for my entrance at Radcliffe College, Harvard University.

When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley College for Women.At that time, my proclamation surprised my friends, I said: "I will go to college in the future, and I must go to Harvard University!" So they asked me why I didn't choose Wellesley Women's College, and I replied Said it was because there were only girls in this academy.Since then, the idea of ​​going to college has taken root in my heart and has become an unwavering desire.It can be said that this desire inspired me to step into the ranks of the battle for a degree, and my opponents were some students who could see, hear, and have both eyes and ears.

Although the wise and realistic friends around me strongly opposed me.But by the time I left New York, the idea of ​​going to university had become an unshakable goal, so I made up my mind to go to Cambridge Girls' High School.It can be said that this is a shortcut chosen to realize my childhood declaration of going to Harvard.

In Cambridge Girls' High School, Ms. Sullivan took classes with me and was responsible for translating the lectures for me.Apparently, the instructors there didn't have any experience teaching students with disabilities, so the only means of communicating with the teachers and classmates there was lip reading.

My first year courses included British History, English Literature, German, Latin, Arithmetic, Latin Composition and some occasional courses.Although I had never prepared myself academically for college before this, I had been well trained in English by Mrs. Sullivan anyway.My college teachers, therefore, soon discovered that I did not need any particular instruction in regard to the assigned textbooks.In addition, my starting point in French learning is also very high, and Latin is a subject I am very familiar with. Therefore, in the first six months, the only thing I need to study seriously is German.Despite these advantages, some serious obstacles have affected my academic performance.

First of all, it is impossible for Mrs. Sullivan to spell all the assigned books in my hand.So as a matter of urgency, I have to convert these books into Braille, which is extremely difficult.But I did it anyway, and when I transcribed the Latin in Braille, I was able to read the text aloud with the other girls, which made me progress very quickly.

My teachers also quickly got used to my imperfect pronunciation and were quick to answer my questions and correct my mistakes.Although I can't take notes or do exercises in class, I do all the composition and Braille translation after class on my typewriter at home.

Teacher Sullivan spelled out everything the teachers said on my hands with infinite patience every day.In between, she looked up new words for me, and read notes and books that hadn't been translated into Braille to me over and over again.This kind of tedious work is unimaginable to ordinary people.

My German teacher, Ms. Frau Groot, and the dean, Mr. Gilman, are the only two teachers in the college who can teach the sign language alphabet.Ms. Frau Groot is slow and unskilled in spelling.But she still worked tirelessly to teach me phonics twice a week, so that Mrs. Sullivan could take a break and catch her breath.

It can be said that everyone here will help us generously and make hard study a happy thing.

During the year I completed my arithmetic, reviewed Latin grammar, and read the first three chapters of The Gallic War.In addition, I also "read" some German works, half of which were read with the help of Mr. Sullivan, and the other half was read by myself with my fingers.

Schiller's Bell Song and Divers, Heine's Travels in the Harz Mountains, Freytag's From the Land of Frederick the Great, Lille's Curse of Beauty, Lessing's Minna von Balheim, and Goethe's Poetry and Truth.I read these German masterpieces with great interest.My favorite is Schiller. His poems are very magnificent. For example, his praise of Frederick the Great's historical achievements and his description of Goethe's personal life fascinate me.There is also "Travel in the Harz Mountains", which also makes me think endlessly. This collection of poems can be described as witty, and the description of intoxicating scenery can be seen everywhere-wisteria covered mountains, streams rippling in the sun, wild lands, sacred The legend of "Cinderella", as well as the long-lost "Cinderella".It is so imaginative that only those who have sincere feelings for nature and unique appreciation taste can write it out.

Mr. Gilman also taught me English literature for a while.We read "As You Like It," Burke's "A Speech on Reconciliation with America," and McCauley's "The Life of Samuel Johnson."Mr. Gilman has extensive historical knowledge and literary accomplishment, coupled with his ingenious way of explaining, let me really experience the joy and ease of learning, which is completely different from the dogmatic knowledge I was instilled in the classroom .

McCauley's The Life of Samuel Johnson is captivating from every angle.This down-and-out man who gnawed his bread on Kluber Street, under the double suffering of body and soul, was always able to maintain a kind words and deeds, and also extended a helping hand to the poor and helpless. My heart goes out to him He adores him immensely, and rejoices in his successes, but turns a blind eye to his faults.Because I think that despite the heavy pressure, all kinds of pressure did not destroy his will, and those flaws did not damage his personality.

McCauley uses his excellent writing to turn decay into magic, bringing vivid characters to life on paper.His convictions occasionally tire me, but his relentless pursuit of truth makes me look at things more rationally, not unlike the awe I hear of "Dee of Great Britain." Moses' eloquence is a very different feeling.

Of all the books on politics I have read, none are more instructive than Burke's speeches.My heart was racing, and in front of me, two hostile peoples living under the same roof seemed to be on the road to reconciliation.What puzzles me more and more is how, in the face of Burke's impassioned and eloquent speech, how could the King of England and his subjects turn a deaf ear to our victory and their shame?In my subsequent study, I thought deeply about the relationship between the party stand held by this great statesman and the stand of the people.I think it is indeed a pity that such a precious seed of truth and wisdom should be lost in the weeds of ignorance and corruption.

While studying at Cambridge, for the first time in my life, I enjoyed the friendship between my classmates.These students are all girls who can see and hear, and are the same age as me.I lived with a few other schoolmates in a house adjoining the school, where Mr. Howells had once lived, so we probably all got a little bit of inspiration from the house.I participated in many games of my classmates, even hide-and-seek in the snow.I went on hikes with them, discussed homework together, or read aloud articles of interest to us.Some girls learned how to "talk" to me, which saved Mr. Sullivan from repeating their words for me, saving me a lot of trouble.

Christmas came and I spent it with my mother and little sister Mildred.Meanwhile, the enthusiastic Mr. Gilman arranged for Mildred to study in his school.In this way Mildred and I remained together at Cambridge Ladies' School for nearly six months, and we were practically inseparable.We both helped each other and learned for hours at a time and it was an unforgettable time.

后来我参加了拉德克利夫学院的预科考试。时间是1897年6月29日至7月3日，我报考的科目有初级和高级德语、法语、拉丁文、英语、希腊语和古罗马史。几门考试总共用了九个小时。我不仅通过了全部考试，而且我的德语和英语成绩还取得了“优等”的成绩。

Here, I will briefly introduce the procedure for taking the exam.The total score is 16 points, 12 points for the elementary exam and 4 points for the advanced exam. A total of 15 points or more is required to pass the exam.The test papers were unsealed at Harvard at nine o'clock in the morning, and sent to Radcliffe College by special mail.No name is written on each test paper, only the number is written, so that the identity of the candidate is kept confidential. My number is 233, but since I have to use a Braille typewriter to answer the questions, my identity cannot be kept secret.

Because the knocking sound of the typewriter would disturb other students, I was arranged to take the exam in a separate room. Mr. Gilman personally read the exam questions for me by spelling in sign language, and a special invigilator was set up at the door of the room.

The German language test is given on the first day.Mr. Gilman sat next to me, and read the paper through for me, and then wrote each sentence in my hand, while I repeated it aloud to show that I heard what he said.The exam questions were not easy, and while typing the answers on a typewriter, I felt uneasy in my heart.Mr. Gilman spelled out my answer to me, made some corrections if I thought it necessary, and he inserted the corrections into the answer.What I want to say here is that I have never enjoyed such treatment in any of the exams I have taken before.

When I got to Radcliffe, no one would read the papers for me anymore, and I had no chance to correct my mistakes unless I finished the papers early.In other words, I can use the limited time of a few minutes to correct the omissions according to my own memories, and then write the corrected answers at the bottom of the paper.

If my grades in the initial test are better than those in the re-examination, there are two reasons. First, no one read the test papers for me during the re-examination; Not necessarily.

(End of this chapter)