In The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, chapter 15 begins after '"The Frost King" incident.' Helen admits, that even though the incident may be forgotten, she no longer trusts herself to write without a feeling of "disquietude." This incident has forced Helen to mature significantly and it is Miss Sullivan's prompting that ensures that Helen writes a story of her life so far (she is twelve), and from which, Helen realizes the benefit that such a story may bring to others. Helen also relishes all her experiences, such as Niagara Falls, the World Fair of 1893 which she visits with Dr. Alexander Graham Bell and the various exhibits which she is given permission to touch. Helen talks of how she now appreciates "the real and the earnest in the workaday world."
Chapter 16: Helen refers to the subjects she has studied which include French and which subject she masters sufficiently to enjoy La Fonteine's "Fables." Helen has also learnt to appreciate Latin with the help of Mr. Irons and has started working on improving her speech.
Chapter 17: Helen attends the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in New York City for two years, especially so that she can improve her speech. Despite Helen's desire to "speak like other people," she is never able to master speech to her satisfaction. Of the other subjects she studies, she does love physical Geography particularly.
Helen also mentions the death of John P. Spaulding (of The Perkins' Institute) which affected her and Miss Sullivan deeply, as he "made everyone happy in a beautiful, unobtrusive way."
Chapter 18: Helen attends Cambridge School for Young Ladies to prepare her for Radcliffe as she intends to fulfill her dream and "childish declaration" that she would go to college, in particular, Harvard. Even though Miss Sullivan spells everything out to Helen on her hand, the work is very difficult and it is only Miss Sullivan who turns "drudgery into pleasure." Helen enjoys mixing with "hearing and speaking girls" some of whom learn to "speak" to her without Miss Sullivan's translation.
Mildred, Helen's younger sister, is offered a place at the school and comes to stay with Helen there. Helen writes her exams using a typewriter, passing everything.
Chapter 19: Helen's progress in her second year is hampered by materials which have not arrived but eventually Helen adapts. However, Mr Gilman and Miss Sullivan have a disagreement over Helen's stress levels; Mr Gilman thinking that Helen should stay at the school longer to avoid overworking herself. Helen's mother then withdraws both girls from the school and Helen begins to study under a tutor. When Helen is preparing for her entrance exams for Radcliffe, it is fraught with difficulties, but Helen proudly recalls how she "overcame them all.
Chapter 20: Helen only enters college in 1900 and finds that it is not quite the dream she imagined. She feels that there is no time to think and is overwhelmed with analysis rather than being able to get a real feeling for the great men and women of the past and their achievements and inventions.
Chapter 21: Helen discusses her love of books, especially her favorite, Little Lord Fauntleroy. She has many "book friends" which she mentions in this chapter but she is anxious that the reader does not think that her store is limited.
Chapter 22: Helen talks about her other interests, and her love of the outdoors and outdoor sports, especially sailing. She is also fascinated by museums, art stores and even the theater. Helen also mentions her friendship with the actor, Joseph Jefferson. Helen does admit that, despite her busy and varied life, she does sometimes feel isolated and has to find her peace through others.
Chapter 23: Helen wishes she could mention all the people who have touched her life but that would be impossible. She mentions Bishop Brooks and Dr. Edward Hale among others. Helen ends her book:
"Thus it is that my friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges, and enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow cast by my deprivation."
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