Question

describe helen 's first experience of enjoying the sea.

Answer 1

As the family lives in inland in Alabama, Helen's only exposure to the ocean is through a book she reads called "Our World" and so Helen is well-prepared for this vast, "roaring" sea.

There is no sense of fear and Helen makes for the water without hesitation. The experience, which fills her with " an exquisite, quivering joy" is short-lived and she slips and goes under, momentarily terrified because "the good, firm earth" that Helen has a grasp on is gone and she feels helpless in the "all-enveloping" environment.

Fortunately, Helen is pushed back to land and rescued by Ann Sullivan. Her terror does not last long and she recovers from her ordeal and loves being by the sea, hearing nad feeling " the dash and roar of the rushing sea!"

Helen catches a crab and takes it home. She is disappointed when it escapes but does realise that it has probably - and hopefully - returned to the sea.