Question

Attempt any one question from the following in about 150 words.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world can't be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." Justify the famous quote of Helen Keller. (10 marks)
OR
Write a character sketch of Anne Sullivan. (10 marks)
OR
What was Anne's impression of Peter in the beginning ? How did it change ? (10 marks)
OR
In how many ways did Anne experience 'Racism' ? Give examples.

Answer 1

This quote is very relevant and truly signifies the life of Helen Keller herself. This quote holds true for everything that we experience in life. It is the feeling towards what we experience in life that is more important than what we actually see or touch.

Helen Keller had lost her sight and hearing at a very tender age to an illness. She did not give up on life. With all the adversities surrounding her, she still fought back with the courage and the love of the people who surrounded her and supported her throughout. It is these feelings of love, courage, hope, satisfaction, happiness, desire, pain, ambition, etc., which makes a person what they are. In fact, Helen learns the beauty of love not by seeing or touching but by feeling it. Her life itself stands testimony to this statement 'The best and most beautiful things in the world can't be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.' 

OR

Miss Anne Sullivan was Helen's instructor as well as teacher. She was sent by the Perkins Institution in Boston to teach Helen. They found her competent enough to begin Helen's education and she arrived at Helen's place in March.

After her arrival, Helen's life was completely changed. Apart from being a guide and instructor, she was like a mother to Helen. She accompanied her wherever she went. Miss Sullivan had great patience. Sometimes Helen used to throw temper-tantrums but Miss Sullivan always handled her very well. She taught her to communicate by writing the spellings of the words on her hand with her fingers. Helen learnt this art and was able to communicate with others in an effective way and she learnt to write sentences also.

Miss Sullivan was a perfect teacher who enjoyed spending her time with Helen. She taught her subjects like Arithmetic, History, Geography, Zoology, Botany, etc., in a play way method. Helen never realized that she was being educated during the process of learning. She enjoyed all the lessons with Miss Sullivan. Both Helen and Miss Sullivan had a good time with each other throughout their lives.

Value Points :

(a) Anne takes him as shy, lazy, awkward and introspective when he joined the annexe

(b)Though he is attractive with blue eyes, dark curly hair Anne does not consider him to be good company

(c) Thinks he possessed a weak persona against the strong and optimistic approach of her towards life

(d)He could be easily influenced

(e) Always preferred a comfortable way out of the situation

(f) Didn't want to take struggle in the right spirit.            
Detailed Answer :

Peter Van Daan was the teenage son of the Van Daans. When Anne first saw him she took him to be a shy, lazy, awkward and introspective boy. He was an attractive boy with blue eyes and dark curly hair but Anne did not consider him to be a good company. Of course later they became good friends. Anne, in the beginning, used to think that Peter possessed a weak persona as against the strong and optimistic approach of herself towards life. She believed that he was a person who could be influenced easily. Both of them lived in a comfortable zone of their own and Anne found that whenever they found themselves in a tight situation, Peter always preferred a comfortable way out of it. He didn't want to take struggle in the right spirit.

OR

Value Points :

Anne's parents had to migrate to Holland in 1933. The Frank sisters had to leave their Montessori school, were ordered to study in Jewish schools, father had to sell his business.

Detailed Answer :

Anne was a courageous Jewish girl. She lived in Frankfurt with her family till she was four years old. Then her parents immigrated to Holland in 1933 and she was sent to stay with her grandmother. Her sister Margot also stayed back with their grandmother. They were both sent to Montessori school and received their education there till Anne was six. But due to anti-Jewish commandments, Anne was sent to a Jewish Lyceum and she had to leave the Montessori school. Anne did not like it and there were tears in her eyes as well as in the eyes of Mrs. Kupercus, the Principal of Montessori school. Then came the anti-Jewish laws by Hitler which set the trigger for the sufferings and problems suffered by Jews. These decrees restricted the freedom of Jews. They were required to wear a yellow star, forbidden to use street cars, they could not even own or ride them. They were supposed to shop between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thus, we can see that Anne faced 'racism' at many junctures of life but the final blow came when they received the call-up notice. Her father immediately decided to go into hiding. They had to walk in the pouring rain to reach the secret annexe-their hiding place. The living conditions were poor in the annexe but they had no other option but to stay in hiding till the end.

Answer 2

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Anne Mansfield Sullivan was the teacher of Helen Keller.

She was the one who taught Helen not just like an ordinary teacher but someone as who would teach all the aspects of life.

The day she arrived in Helen's life, Helen marked it as the most favourite day of her life. This was the day when Anne Sullivan brought a new hope of life in Helen's life.

Helen describes her as the "light of love" in her dark world. Miss Anne taught Helen many things including how to be a better human being, bookish knowledge etc etc.