Helen’s disabilities and the success she achieves in surmounting them are the focus of the book. When she is a young child, she is described as animal-like due to her inability to communicate or to be taught about socially acceptable behavior. It is only once she is disciplined by Anne Sullivan that she develops into a pleasant and friendly child. The acquisition of language through American Sign Language is life-changing for Helen. She demonstrates that she is an intelligent person who is an eager learner, excited and curious about the world around her. Her keen intellect serves her well, as it helps her to learn not only American Sign Language but also braille and later how to speak by controlling her throat. Her Dedication and Perseverance are also vital characteristics in her life story. Helen sets challenging goals for herself—such as attending and graduating from college—and then determinedly sets out achieving them. Though she is often frustrated by obstacles along the way, she does not allow these stumbling blocks to deter her entirely and instead continues to work until she overcomes each obstacle.

As a child, with the help of Anne, Helen is friendly and caring and thrives on social engagement with other children.