1. Arthur H. Keller was Helen's father. He had served as a Confederate Army captain during the Civil War. He later was a newspaper editor. His first wife died, and Kate Keller, Helen's mother, was his second wife. He enjoyed hunting and gardening. He also liked spending time with his dogs. Helen described her father as "most loving and indulgent, devoted to his home, seldom leaving [them], except in the hunting season" (The Story of My Life, Chapter II).
2. Helen became isolated and tormented due to her loss of hearing and sight. She could not effectively communicate with those around her, which led to feelings of isolation. She was tormented because of her extreme frustration at being different.
3. Miss Sullivan did not have prior experience working with a child who was deaf and blind, but she did study on the topic. She taught Helen by spelling letters into her palm, associating the words with objects. She did this with the words "mug," "doll," and "water." Helen did not make the connection at first. Miss Sullivan was determined and eventually her methods worked.
4. "Ivy Green" was the small house where Helen was born, and where she lived with her parents until she became ill. This house was covered in English ivy and flowers. Helen was drawn to nature, and she loved to "hide [her] hot face in the cool leaves and grass" (The Story of My Life, Chapter I).
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