As a motif of the natural world, the weather is repeatedly referenced throughout Keller’s story. Because of her blindness and deafness, Keller relies heavily on tactile sensations, and so the sun on her face, a sudden thunderstorm, or falling snowflakes are all cause for wonder on her part.

The weather also plays a role symbolically as it occasionally takes the form of literal obstacles that often pose trouble or danger to Keller.

For Keller, education symbolizes a gateway to knowledge, to language, to communication with other people in the world. With Miss Sullivan’s arrival, Keller finds that her desire to learn overshadows almost everything else in life.

Education is also a motif that underlies every step Keller takes in her journey to becoming a college student.

The doll given to Keller by her aunt is symbolic of the way the young Keller views herself. Pained and panicked to realize that the doll has no eyes, Keller takes two beads from her aunt’s coat and begs her aunt to sew them on. This doll symbolizes Keller’s subconscious desire to be able to see and to be like the other people around her.