The Story of My Life evokes many emotions including pain, joy, fear, and triumph. The story begins with a positive outlook. Despite the difficulties caused by her illness, she remained a perceptive and eager learner. In Chapter 3, when she meets Dr. Bell, she writes:
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 watch, and he made it strike for me. He understood my signs, and I knew it and loved him at once.
Words like "tenderness," "sympathy," and "wonderful" show that Helen knew how special Dr. Bell would be in her life. This scene gives the reader hope that things will turn out well for her and boosts the mood of the story's first few chapters. She devotes exactly one sentence to explaining how she lost her sight and hearing, and the rest of her descriptions center upon how she overcame her fits of temper and began lessons with Miss Sullivan.
Sometimes, as in the story of "The Frost King," the mood becomes a bit darker. "The Frost King" was the title of a creative piece that she based upon Miss Sullivan's vivid descriptions of fall foliage. However, Helen later discovers that her own story bore a resemblance to a children's story called "The Frost Fairies." Helen was ashamed and embarrassed and considered this story to be a major setback in her creative life, so the mood of this anecdote reflects her feelings.
For a majority of The Story of My Life, the mood of the chapters reflects the events that happen within them. Ultimately, however, the mood becomes positive and uplifting as Helen achieves higher degrees of education and independence. In the end, the mood is triumphant and joyful because the reader sees how capable and successful Helen becomes despite her challenges.
