HELLEN KELLER AND MARK TWAIN’S UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP

Helen Keller and Mark Twain

Mark Twain, a renowned novelist and comedian, and Helen Keller, a writer, and activist who was deaf and blind, collaborated for more than a decade to establish a society of mutual appreciation that was unaffected by obstacles such as physical distance or handicaps. Helen Keller was just 14 years old when she had her first encounter with the renowned author Mark Twain in the year 1894.

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Soon after, they became fast friends. He assisted in making arrangements for her to attend Radcliffe College, from which she graduated in 1904, becoming the first person in the history of the world to acquire a Bachelor of Arts degree despite being deaf and blind. She went on to become virtually as famous as her close friend, becoming a prolific writer and giving lectures all over the country and the world. She was able to read in braille four different languages: English, French, German, and Latin.

Helen Keller was considered by Twain to be the eighth wonder of the world, and she was considered to be on par with Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Homer, Shakespeare, and the other immortal figure. Twain, in his characteristic manner of understatement, referred to her as one of the two most outstanding individuals who lived throughout the 19th century. The alternative candidate was Napoleon.

Both a guide and a friend, Hellen Keller considered the father of American writing to be an important figure in his life. She survived into the 1960s and released an autobiographical book in 1929 in which she revealed some of the lovely memories she had of Mark Twain. In a previous piece of writing, she stated that Mark Twain had his own unique manner of thinking, saying, and doing things.

An Account of Helen Keller and Mark Twain’s Friendship

How did Keller and Mark Twain Meet?

In 1895, an unexpected friendship began when Keller, at the age of 14, attended a party organized in her honor by editor Laurence Hutton in New York City. These two odd acquaintances became friends. In his autobiography, Mark Twain observed that Keller appeared to have a remarkable ability to discern the personality of her surroundings, despite the fact that she did not even touch anything, see anything, or hear anything. Furthermore, she exhibited a notable fascination with the books.

Although he was already one of the most famous men in the United States, Twain managed to put the little teenage girl at ease. In his interactions with her, he had an unusually delicate and charming demeanor, especially for Mr. Clemens. During that afternoon, Twain and the young lady got to know one other better and found out that they both enjoyed learning and laughing. He recounted an extensive narrative, which she consistently interjected at appropriate intervals, responding with cackles, chuckles, and spontaneous bursts of laughter.

Keller found Twain’s relaxed and untroubled demeanor to be refreshing. He did not regard her as a freak but rather as a disabled woman who was looking for a means to get around remarkable challenges.

Their friendship developed through written communication, as Keller sent Twain letters in braille and received replies that were dictated to his secretary. Twain wrote in one of his letters that he was delighted to be able to tell Keller how profoundly he had been impacted by the remarkable lessons that Keller had taught him throughout her life. He emphasized his respect for Keller’s bravery and determination.

Keller, on the other hand, believed that Twain’s letters were priceless jewels and that she found comfort and motivation in the words that he wrote. Both of their lives were improved as a result of their true connection, which allowed their relationship to transcend the limitations of disability and fame.

Twain aided Keller in gaining admission to the college

Upon learning that Keller was unable to attend Radcliffe College due to financial difficulties, Mark Twain, who had recently declared bankruptcy, immediately wrote to Emelie Rogers, the wife of his close friend Henry, stating that it would not be in the best interest of the United States of America to permit the wonderful child to give up on her education due to the fact that she was unable to afford it.

He went on to say that if Helen Keller were to continue with them, she would achieve a level of popularity that would be remembered throughout the ages. Additionally, based on her unique qualities, she would be the most remarkable product of all time.

Rogers consented to be Keller’s sponsor, and with the assistance of Anne Sullivan, who was both her constant companion and her teacher, Keller was eventually able to graduate with full honors. Twain showed the same level of admiration for Sullivan, whom he referred to as a “miracle worker” decades prior to the release of the play and movie with the same name.

His account suggested that Helen Keller possessed a sharp intellect and wit from birth and that with the guidance of Miss Sullivan’s extraordinary teaching abilities, she was able to hone these traits until they manifested as what they had observed: a girl who was deaf, dumb, and blind but who had received a comprehensive university education. In the year 1903, he defended both of them against an old accusation of plagiarism.

Keller supported Twain after his wife died

As Keller’s fame continued to increase, Twain and Hellen Keller maintained their connection throughout the years. Twain observed the evolving nature of the worldly woman, noting that she had come to inhabit the same reality as the others around her. He asserted that Keller’s talk was vibrant and that she exhibited an exceptional level of quickness and intelligence.

Furthermore, he claimed that an individual who frequently employed clever remarks rarely succeeded in catching Keller off guard, as she was almost guaranteed to respond with equal wit, often enhancing her retort in the process. Keller demonstrated that she was a kind friend, in spite of the fact that she was becoming increasingly famous. She consoled Mark Twain following the passing of his cherished wife, Oliva, in 1903.

They joked around even at each other’s expense

After one year of being friends, Keller’s tone returned to the light jabs that had defined their relationship. In recognition of Twain’s 70th birthday, she inquired whether he was genuinely seventy years old or if the report was an exaggeration similar to that of his death. She recalled that during her last encounter with Twain at Mr. Hutton’s residence in Princeton, he remarked that a man who held a pessimistic view before reaching the age of forty-eight was likely overly informed. Nevertheless, if he maintained an optimistic outlook after reaching the age of forty-eight, it suggests a significant lack of understanding on his part.

Keller went on to remark that because of this reason, everyone was now aware that he was an optimist, and nobody would have the courage to criticize someone who was on the seven-terraced top of having a narrow knowledge base. Therefore, it is most likely that he was not seventy after all, but rather only forty-seven!

Twain was also not afraid to poke fun at Keller or bring up controversial topics that Keller’s peers might have thought were off-limits. He said that being blind was a thrilling profession; anyone who didn’t believe him should try to locate the door on a dark night while lying on the wrong side of the bed while the home is on fire.

Hellen Keller ‘loved’ Twain for treating her well

Keller’s uncomplicated delight in life served as a never-ending wellspring of awe for Mark Twain, who was becoming increasingly sick of the world. One evening, as she sat in a thickly tufted chair in contemplation, Twain’s secretary commenced playing the orchestrelle. Keller’s face instantly flushed and brightened, and waves of ecstatic emotion swept across it. Despite the fact that her hands were resting on the thick and cushion-like upholstery of her chair, they suddenly kicked into action, just like a conductor’s hands, and started beating the time and following the rhythm.

Exactly one year before his passing, Twain extended an invitation to Keller to reside at Stormfield, which was his residence in Redding, Connecticut. Keller would spend a significant amount of time remembering the tangy aroma of cedar and pine in the air, as well as the smell of burning fireplace logs, orange tea, and toast with strawberry jam. In the evening, the great man provided her with a selection of short stories to read, and the two of them strolled around the property hand in hand. Keller recalled that it was a pleasure to be in his presence, particularly when she was holding his hand and pointing out each beautiful location while telling a delightful lie about it.

In the guestbook that Twain had left for her, Hellen Keller wrote that she had been in Eden for three days and had witnessed a King. She asserted that she recognized him as a King the moment she made contact with him, despite having never previously touched a King. However, despite all of Keller’s eloquent words, in the end, her genuine affection for Mark Twain could be summed up in a single truth. The reason she loved him was because he accorded her the respect and dignity of a human being.

As for Twain, his sentiments for Helen Keller were always tinged with reverence and wonder. Keller was extremely important to him. When he was shut out from all distractions, he once claimed that he was filled with the marvel of her knowledge, which she had acquired. In addition to this, he went on to say that if he had been deaf, dumb, and blind, he might have also been able to accomplish anything.