HELEN KELLER’S STRUGGLE IN THE STORY OF MAY LIFE

ABSTRACT Eka Ardhinie One of the literary works is novel. In the novel we can find many kinds of character. Sri Hartati This research aims to find out the characteristics of Helen Keller by using psychological approach and to describe the factors influence Helen Keller to struggle in obtaining the equal confession as usual human. This research used Fakultas Sastra qualitative method in analyzing the data. The data is taken from Helen Keller’s Universitas Gunadarma Novel “The Story of My Life” and in the form of quotation from novel that related to Helen Keller’s characters. The result of this research are the characteristics of [email protected] Helen Keller in term of angry, naughty, curiosity, struggle, eager, clever, dilligent, [email protected] care, confident, brave, independent. There are also some factors that influence the characteristics of Helen Keller, such as: Influence from family, teacher and famous people.

Key Words: Characters, Struggles, Factor Influences.

INTRODUCTION and the behavior within the novel. The fiction, the heroes and villains, allies and source of data in this research is a novel enemies, love intersts and comic relief Literary often describes about human’s entitled “The Story of My Life” written by (Mc Laughlin, 1989:375). According to life that related to culture, religion, social, Helen Keller in 1903 as the primary data. David Grambs, Character is a portrayal moral and so on. Almost the whole literary or description so as to distinguish; the give impact to the reader when they have THEORETICAL REVIEW creation or representation of character in finished to read. Sometimes, the impact fiction; delineation; the use in journalism can be sad or happy and like or dislike, Novel of descriptive or categorical word as depend on the story. modifiers, sometimes irrelevently, and As we know, literary works such as: Novel is derived from Italian novella “tale, sometimes prejudicially (1984:484). poetry, prose, and novel. Many people pieces of news” and now applied to a wide According to Mc Laughlin, choose novel as a favourite literary variety of writings whose only common Characteristics is distinguishing trait, because the content of novel include many attribute is that they are extended pieces quality, or poetry; an element of character; aspects. In novel we can see how the of prose fiction. In contemporary practice, that which characterized. (1989:376) author describe the story in wonderful novel will be between 60-70.000 words plot, good setting and unique character. and say, 200.000 (Cuddon, 1986:430). Psychological Approach Beside that, we can get a moral value or According to Oxford English dictionary, an advise which is good or not. a novel is fictious prose narrative or rate Psychological approach is an approach In this research, the writer analyzes of considerable length which characters coming from assumption that a literary and clarifies more deeply about the and actions representatives of the real life work is merely discussing about human character of Hellen Keller in the novel of past and present times are portrayed life. (Semi, 1993:806) “The Story of my life” written in 1903 by in a plot of more or more complexity The term personality is frequently Helen Keller. The writer choose this novel (Hawthorn,1985:1). used conversation turn to the social because the writer wants to find out the behavior of specific person and the characteristics of Hellen Keller that is Structure of Novel amount and quality of influence they good to be analyzed as inspiration and shield upon others. (Wolman, 1977:301). motivation to people who was born blind Plot Psychological approach is one of many and deaf. Besides that, the writer wants approaches that can be used to do the to know the struggles of Helen Keller’s Plot is the sequence of incidents or events research of a literary work, such as novel, life and how she can reach the equal of which a story is composed when poem, etc. Through psychological confession as a usual human. As a result, recounted by itself. It bears about the approach the writer expected to get to the reader can get the spirit of Helen same relationship to a story that a map know the personality of a character that Keller’s struggle and about her thought does to a journey. It may include what a one to be analyzed by the writer. in many kinds character. The writer character says or thinks, as well as what conducts a research entitled “Helen he does, bit it leaves out description and Method of Psychological Approach Keller’s Struggle in The Story of My Life”. analysis and concentrates ordinarily on And the writer thinks it is very interesting major happenings (Perrine, 1988:41) In analyzing “Helen Keller” character, the for research by using psycological writer uses several methods of approach. Theme psychological approach. According to The writer limits this research to the Semi (1993): characterictics of Helen Keller’s struggle The theme of piece of fiction is it is 1. Psychological approach emphasizes for her life by using Psychological controlling idea or its central insight. It to analyze whole literary work in approach in “The Story of My life” written is the unfying generalization about life intrinsic or extrinsic aspect. From in 1903 by Helen Keller. stated or implied by the story. To derive intrinsic aspect, the emphasize is to This scientific research paper uses a them of a story, we must ask what its emphasizes on characterization. qualitative method by using phycology central purpose is: What view of life it 2. The important of extrinsic aspect is analysis. According to David Numan support or what insight into life it reveals connected with psychological (1992:3) the method used in the research (Perrine, 1988:65) problems, such as aim, aspiration, is qualitative research assumes that all desire, etc. knowledge is relative, that there is a Character and Characteristics 3. In analyzing the characters, we must subjective element to all knowledge find the thought of figure’s behavior. research. It is equivalent with the According to The Power of Language, Also the researcher should explain the research, which is to describe the people character is the term for the people in motifs that support the action.

22 UG Jurnal Vol. 6 No. 02 Tahun 2012 DISCUSSION friend, her name is Martha Washington. doll. I did not know that I was Martha and Helen often make Helen’s spelling a word or even that words The Characters in The Story of My mother be panic. One day, Martha and existed; I was simply making my Life. Helen were playing together. They were fingers go in monkey-like imitation. cutting some things till they were bored In the days that followed I learned Main Character and then they were cutting their hair each to spell in this uncomprehending other. This moment describes about the way a great many words, among l Helen Keller naughtiness of Helen Keller. them pin, hat, cup and a few verbs Helen Keller is a nice person. She is And for the quotations that show the like sit, stand and walk. But my independent, clever, dilligent and have naughty of Helen Keller’s character: teacher had been with me several ambition to get a miracle for her live. weeks before I understood that “Martha Washington had as everything has a name.” (Page 15) Supporting Character great a love of mischief as I. Two little children were seated on the B. The characteristics of Helen l Miss Sullivan veranda steps one hot July Keller in obtaining the equal Miss Sulivan is a kind teacher. She afternoon. One was black as ebony, confession as usual human makes Helen comfort to study about with little bunches of fuzzy hair tied everything even Helen was blind and with shoestrings sticking out all l Struggle deaf. Miss Sullivan never give up to over her head like corkscrews. The teach Helen because she is very other was white, with long golden Helen keller was very struggle for her life, patient. curls. One child was six years old, when she was difficult to know what l Kate Adams (Helen’s mother) the other two or three years older. people said, she was placed her hand on She is a good woman and full of The younger child was blind—that the hand of speaker. Before Helen Keller affection. She also wisdom woman for was I--and the other was Martha became an author, she wrote letter for Helen. Washington. We were busy cutting her friend. But, she was very careful to out paper dolls; but we soon wrote something because she was afraid l Alexander Graham Bell wearied of this amusement, and if what she had written was similiar to He is a simpathic person, smart, and after cutting up our shoestrings and the other author. friendly. clipping all the leaves off the She also visited President Cleveland, honeysuckle that were within reach, World's Fair and etc. When she was A. The characteristics of Helen I turned my attention to Martha's studying at class, she could not make Keller before she got influence from corkscrews. She objected at first, notes or write exercise. She wrote down many factors. but finally submitted. Thinking that it at home. Her work was painfully slow, turn and turn about is fair play, she so that when she had an exam, she had l Angry seized the scissors and cut off one to read the example over and over because of my curls, and would have cut she was difficult to understand what it At the first, Helen Keler was difficult to them all off but for my mother's means. comunicate with everybody, she tried to timely interference.” (Page 11) And for the quotations that show the use the sign but she fault. This condition struggle of Helen Keller’s character: made her angry, she became impatient l Curiosity and discourage. She often coarses, when “I place my hand on the hand of she was angry if she hasn’t got something Helen Keller has the big curiosity, she the speaker so lightly as not to that she want, she kicked everybody who wanted to know everything when the impede its movements. The position was standing beside her. Ella, her nurse people made or given something. For of the hand is as easy to feel as it is has kicked by her. example, when Miss Sullivan was to see. I do not feel each letter any Miss Sullivan taught Helen Keller to introduced to her about word. From one more than you see each letter understand about words. Because word d-o-l-l, Helen wanted to know more separately when you read.” (Page everything have the name, but Helen and more word till she realized that 32) Keller thought that was difficult to everything has a name. understand. He became more impatient, As we know, Helen was blind and “In reading my teacher's lips I till she dashed her doll. deaf, so that she was difficult to know was wholly dependent on my And for the quotations that show the something. She knew water very hard, fingers: I had to use the sense of angry of Helen Keller’s character: but her curiosity made her patient to know touch in catching the vibrations of it. Helen went to the garden, she learned the throat, the movements of the “Sometimes I stood between two about flower, then she looked for many mouth and the expression of the persons who were conversing and insect and caught them. Then Helen face; and often this sense was at touched their lips. I could not touched the insect and guessed the insect’s fault.” (Page 32) understand, and was vexed. I form. moved my lips and gesticulated And for the quotations that show the l Eager frantically without result. This curiosity of Helen Keller’s character: made me so angry at times that I When we analyzed the characteristics of kicked and screamed until I was “The morning after my teacher Helen Keller, we can said that she is an exhausted.” (Page 10) came she led me into her room and eager person. She was difficult to gave me a doll. The little blind communicate with another persons, but “I think I knew when I was children at the Perkins Institution she was very eager to made somenone naughty, for I knew that it hurt Ella, had sent it and Laura Bridgman had understand what she means. For example, my nurse, to kick her, and when my dressed it; but I did not know this Helen made her aunt understood that she fit of temper was over I had a feeling until afterward. When I had played wanted if her aunt to sew beads off to her akin to regret. But I cannot with it a little while, Miss Sullivan doll. remember any instance in which slowly spelled into my hand the Helen Keller was very eager to study this feeling prevented me from word "d-o-l-l." I was at once many words, so that when she played a repeating the naughtiness when I interested in this finger play and game also related to words. Sometimes, failed to get what I wanted.” (Page tried to imitate it. When I finally she learned many things alone, she 10) succeeded in making the letters touched that thing, then felt and guessed correctly I was flushed with childish that form. l Naughty pleasure and pride. Running downstairs to my mother I held up And for the quotations that show the When Helen Keller was young, she had a my hand and made the letters for eager of Helen Keller’s character:

Ardhinie, Helen Keller’s Struggle ... 23 “I tumbled off the seat and enjoy this pastime.” (Page 39) not to do something. This condition made searched under it until I found my Helen Keller wanted to tried by herself aunt's cape, which was trimmed l Dilligent even she knew that was not easy and need with large beads. I pulled two beads more struggle to do everything. off and indicated to her that I Helen knew the words step by step, at And for the quotations that show the wanted her to sew them on my doll. first, she studied one words need a long confident of Helen Keller’s character: She raised my hand to her eyes in a time, because she must imagine about the questioning way, and I nodded words. She was care with her “Sometimes Miss Sullivan read energetically. The beads were sewed environment, also with animal, she was to me, spelling into my hand little in the right place and I could not very dilligent to take care an animal, for stories and poems that she knew I contain myself for joy; but example a bird. should understand; but I preferred immediately I lost all interest in the And for the quotations that show the reading myself to being read to, doll.” (Page 13) dilligent of Helen Keller’s character: because I liked to read again and again the things that pleased me.” “I left the well-house eager to “I took my "Reader for (Page 50) learn. Everything had a name, and Beginners" and hunted for the each name gave birth to a new words I knew; when I found them l Brave thought. As we returned to the my joy was like that of a game of house every object which I touched hide-and-seek. Thus I began to read. At first, Helen afraid with something that seemed to quiver with life. That was Of the time when I began to read strange. She guessed something with her because I saw everything with the connected stories I shall speak hands and her feelings. Till she became strange, new sight that had come to later.”(Page 21) a brave woman. Indeed, she was never me.” (Page 16) afraid to canoeing at night. And she also “Every morning after breakfast like sailing. I prepared his bath, made his cage And for the quotations that show the clean and sweet, filled his cups with brave of Helen Keller’s character: C. The characteristics of Helen fresh seed and water from the well- “I also enjoy canoeing, and I Keller After her struggle in house, and hung a spray of suppose you will smile when I say obtaining equal confession as usual chickweed in his swing.” (Page 24) that I especially like it on moonlight human. nights. I cannot, it is true, see the “I learned more and more moon climb up the sky behind the l Clever words, my field of inquiry pines and steal softly across the broadened, and I would return heavens, making a shining path for Helen was clever when she did something again and again to the same subject, us to follow; but I know she is or thought about something. She learned eager for further information.” there.” (Page 55) from mistakes, tried to be better and (Page 19) better. She also studied many languages, “My favourite amusement is she was clever to make an analysis about l Care sailing. In the summer of 1901 I language, she liked picking up words that visited Nova Scotia, and had she understood and tried to make sense. Helen Keller was very dilligent, she had opportunities such as I had not And for the quotations that show the many inspiration to write some stories enjoyed before to make the clever of Helen Keller’s character: from many books that she read. As we acquaintance of the ocean.” (Page know, she was care to people and her 55) “A day or two afterward I was environment. She wrote a story for gift stringing beads of different sizes in birthday. D. The factors influence Helen symmetrical groups--two large And for the quotations that show the Keller to struggle in obtaining the beads, three small ones, and so on. care of Helen Keller’s character: equal confession as usual human. I had made many mistakes, and Miss Sullivan had pointed them out “Accordingly I copied the story 1. Family again and again with gentle and sent it to him for his birthday.” patience. Finally I noticed a very (Page 33) l Helen’s mother (Kate Adams) obvious error in the sequence and for an instant I concentrated my l Confident It is sure that mother is very important attention on the lesson and tried to for every child. Of course Helen also felt think how I should have arranged Although Helen was blind and deaf, she it. Without her mother, she could not be the beads. Miss Sullivan touched was confident to play a drama for a good person. Her mother made her my forehead and spelled with celebrate Washington birthday. Helen understood many things, thaught her to decided emphasis, "Think." “(Page played with beautiful performnaces as do something, and built Helen’s 19) Ceres. character. And for the quotations that show the And for the quotations that show “At first I was rather unwilling confident of Helen Keller’s character: Helen’s mother influence of Helen Keller’s to study Latin grammar. It seemed character: absurd to waste time analyzing, “I was to be Ceres in a kind of every word I came across--noun, masque given by the blind girls. “My mother, moreover, genitive, singular, feminine--when How well I remember the graceful succeeded in making me its meaning was quite plain. I draperies that enfolded me, the understand a good deal. I always thought I might just as well describe bright autumn leaves that wreathed knew when she wished me to bring my pet in order to know it--order, my head, and the fruit and grain at her something, and I would run vertebrate; division, quadruped; my feet and in my hands.” (page 33- upstairs or anywhere else she class, mammalia; genus, felinus; 34) indicated. Indeed, I owe to her species, cat; individual, Tabby. But loving wisdom all that was bright as I got deeper into the subject, I l Independent and good in my long night.” (Page became more interested, and the 10) beauty of the language delighted Many things that showed Helen was an me. I often amused myself by independent girl. Exactly, Helen thought 2. Teacher reading Latin passages, picking up that she could do it alone without needing words I understood and trying to help from other people. But sometimes, l Miss Sullivan make sense. I have never ceased to many people worried that Helen could

24 UG Jurnal Vol. 6 No. 02 Tahun 2012 The Big influence of Helen Keller’s watch, and he made it strike for me. make a research deepest discussion of characters were from Miss Sullivan. She He understood my signs, and I knew character. They may use another taught many things that are important it and loved him at once. But I did approaches to their research in analyzing for Helen’s life. She taught about hardskill not dream that that interview would character, such as: moral, feminism, that made Helen became clever person, be the door through which I should sociolinguistic, historical approach, and and made Helen realized that she had pass from darkness into light, from etc. softkill which was good to increase. In isolation to friendship, another hand, Miss Sullivan was companionship, knowledge, love. BIBLIOGRAPHY responsible to build character of Helen Dr. Bell advised my father to write Keller. So that, Helen became success to Mr. Anagnos, director of the Benjamin, Wolman. 1994. International woman even she was blind and deaf. Perkins Institution in Boston, the Encyclopedia of Psychiatry, And for the quotations that show Miss scene of Dr. Howe's great labours Psychology, Psychoanalysis and Sullivan’s influence of Helen Keller’s for the blind, and ask him if he had Neurology. Aesculapius Publisher, character: a teacher competent to begin my Inc. education.” (Page 14) “Thus I learned from life itself. Cuddon, J.A. 1998. A Dictionary of At the beginning I was only a little Literary Terms and Literary Theory. mass of possibilities. It was my l Mr. Henry Drummond New york: Blackwellpublisher Ltd. teacher who unfolded and developed them. An When she Mr. Henry is a sympatic person. He was Grambs, David. 1984. Literary came, everything about me kind to Helen, he also taught Helen many Companion Dictionary. Great Britain. breathed of love and joy and was things especially about general knowledge. full of meaning. She has never since And for the quotations that show Hornby, A S. 2000. Oxford Advanced let pass an opportunity to point out Bishop Brooks’s influence of Helen Learner’s Dictionary. New York. the beauty that is in everything, nor Keller’s character: Oxford University Press. has she ceased trying in thought and “I knew Mr. Henry Drummond, action and example to make my life and the memory of his strong, warm Jones, Edward H. 1968. Outlines of sweet and useful.” (Page 23) hand-clasp is like a benediction. He Literature-Short Stories, Novels, was the most sympathetic of Poems. New York. The MacMillan “It was my teacher's genius, her companions. He knew so much and Company. quick sympathy, her loving tact was so genial that it was impossible which made the first years of my to feel dull in his presence.” (Page Mc Laughlin, Thomas.1989. The Power education so beautiful. It was 61) of Language. Florida. Harcourt Brace because she seized the right Jovanovich, Publisher.. moment to impart knowledge that CONCLUSION made it so pleasant and acceptable Perrine, Lurence. 1998. Literature to me. She realized that a child's The result of this research are the Structure, Sound, and Sense Fifth mind is like a shallow brook which characteristics of Helen Keller in term of Edition. San Diego. Harcourt Brace ripples and dances merrily over the angry, naughty, curiosity, struggle, eager, Jovanovich, Publisher. stony course of its education and clever, dilligent, care, confident, brave, reflects here a flower, there a bush, independent. There are also some factors Semi, Atar. 1993. Metode Penelitian yonder a fleecy cloud; and she that influence the characteristics of Helen Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa. attempted to guide my mind on its Keller, such as: Influence from family, way, knowing that like a brook it teacher and famous people. This research www.braindictionary.com/words/ap/a should be fed by mountain streams far from being perfect, that is why the pproach131722.html and hidden springs, until it writer suggests to the next researcher to broadened out into a deep river, capable of reflecting in its placid surface, billowy hills the luminous shadows of trees and the blue heavens, as well as the sweet face of a little flower.” (Page 23)

3. Famous People l Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell is a nice figure for Helen Keller. He is a famous people but has a good personality. He is one of the people that give influence to Helen Keller’s character. Mr Bell understood every sign that Helen has made.He was as a people that helped Helen to get proper education. Then, Mr. Bell told to Helen about her experiment. He made Helen was easy to understood the difficult theory. He is an inspirator for Helen. And for the quotations that show Mr. Bell’s influence of Helen Keller’s character:

“Child as I was, I at once felt the tenderness and sympathy which endeared Dr. Bell to so many hearts, as his wonderful achievements enlist their admiration. He held me on his knee while I examined his

Ardhinie, Helen Keller’s Struggle ... 25