Question

what difficulties faced by Helen at Cambridge school

Answer 1

Helen entered Cambridge School for Young Ladies in October, 1896 to prepare for Radcliffe College. When Helen began her second year at the school, she was full of hope and determination to succeed. But during the first few weeks she had to cope with many difficulties while studying. She found it hard to keep pace with the syllabus being taught at the school.  Mr. Gilman, the Principal had agreed that that year she should study mathematics principally. I had physics, algebra, geometry, astronomy, Greek and Latin. The first difficulty was she did not have the proper apparatus to carry on her academic studies. The classes she was in were very large, and it was impossible for the teachers to give her special instruction. Miss Sullivan was obliged to read all the books to her, and interpret for the instructors, and for the first time in eleven years it seemed as if her dear hand would not be equal to the task.


Seeing the difficulties Helen was facing, Mr. Gillman began to remonstrate with Miss Sullivan on the ground that she was working too hard, and in spite of her earnest protestations, he reduced the number of Helen’s recitations. At the beginning he had agreed that she should, if required, take five years to prepare for college, but at the end of the first year the success of her examinations showed Miss Sullivan and Miss Harbaugh (Mr. Gilman's head teacher), that Helen could easily complete her preparation in two years more.


Finally Mr. Gillman declared that Helen was facing lots of difficulties and made changes in her studies which would have made it impossible for Helen to take her final examinations with his class. In the end the difference of opinion between Mr. Gilman and Miss Sullivan resulted in her mother's withdrawing her sister Mildred and Helen from the Cambridge school.