Character Sketch of Mr. Keith :
Merton S. Keith was the Maths and Classics tutor who helped Helen Keller as she studied and prepared to enter Radcliffe- taught her Latm, Greek, algebra, and geometry- Mr. Keith was extremely patient with Keller, who had faced many obstacles in solving maths problems, as she could not see the problems. She often had to construct geometrical figures on a cushion with curved wires, and she had to remember the lettering of the figure and other aspects of a geometric proof in her head Mr. Keith also made the mathematica, work interesting for Keller and taught her how to reason her way through the problems. It was difficult for Keller to pass her Radcliffe examinations in maths, as she did not understand the Braille correspondmg to the mathematical symbols, but she applied herself to doing so and passed her exams Mr. Keith then tutored her for another year before she entered college, and he was an encouraging and patient teacher.
Detailed Answer :
Mr. Merton S. Keith was an instructor in Cambridge. He came out to Wrentham twice a week and taught Algebra, Geometry, Greek and Latin to Helen Keller. He prepared Helen for her exams for Radcliffe. He gave Helen lessons for five times a week, for periods of about an hour. His knowledge helped her to do the work easily. Whenever there was anything, which Helen did not understand, he explained it each time. He used to assign her new work and took pains to correct the work the Greek exercises, which she used to write on her typewriter. She often had of construct geometrical figures on a cushion with curved wires and she had to remember the lettering of the figure and other aspects of a geometric proof in her head. This helped her work faster. He made mathematics; the subject which she liked the least, interesting. He kept her mind alert and eager and trained it to reason also. He taught her to reach the conclusions calmly and logically and not by jumping mildly into nowhere. He was gentle towards her. But there was one thing which put Helen into trouble. He had relied too much on Helen’s mental ability to solve the problems and never taught her to write examination papers. With the result, she faced problems while appearing for the examination. Mr. Keith tutored her every time when she was in need. He was an encouraging and patient teacher.
