English Poorvi Class 7 Three Days to See Notes

Introduction

“Three Days to See” is an essay by Helen Keller, a renowned author who was blind and deaf. In this essay, she imagines what she would do if she were given the gift of sight for just three days. Through her vivid descriptions, she expresses her longing to experience the world through sight and encourages readers to appreciate their senses fully. The essay highlights the importance of valuing the five senses-sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste-and living mindfully.

Helen Keller’s Perspective

Helen Keller, who is blind, finds joy in the world through her sense of touch. She describes feeling:

• The delicate symmetry of a leaf.
• The smooth bark of a silver birch or the rough bark of a pine.
• A bud on a tree in spring, symbolizing nature’s awakening.
• The quiver of a bird singing on a branch.

Despite her joy in touch, she longs to see the beauty of the world, believing sight would reveal even more wonders. She imagines how she would spend three days if given the gift of sight.

Day 1: Seeing Loved Ones

• Focus: Helen wants to see the people whose kindness and companionship have made her life meaningful.
• Reason: She cannot see into their hearts through their eyes (the “window of the soul”) but can only feel their faces to detect emotions like laughter or sorrow.
• Significance: This shows her deep value for relationships and emotional connections.

Day 2: Exploring the World

• Focus: Helen would wake at dawn to witness the miracle of sunrise, where night transforms into day.
• Activities:
  • Visit museums to see the history of the earth, including:
    • Animals and human races in their native environments.
    • Fossils of dinosaurs and mastodons.
    • Evidence of human progress despite their small stature compared to animals.
• Purpose: To gain a quick glimpse of the world’s past and present, appreciating human achievements and nature’s wonders.

Day 3: Observing Everyday Life

• Focus: Helen would spend the day in a city, watching people in their daily lives.
• Observations:
  • Smiles, which make her happy.
  • Determination, which makes her proud.
  • Suffering, which evokes her compassion.
• Significance: She values understanding the human experience through simple, everyday moments.

Conclusion

• At midnight on the third day, Helen would lose her sight again. She acknowledges that three days would not be enough to see everything she desires.
• She advises those with sight to use their senses as if they might lose them tomorrow, appreciating:
  • The music of voices, bird songs, and orchestras (hearing).
  • The texture of objects (touch).
  • The smell of flowers and the taste of food.
• Helen believes sight is the most delightful sense, as it reveals the world’s beauty most vividly.

Key Themes

1. Appreciation of Senses: The essay urges readers to value their senses and use them fully to experience the world’s beauty.
2. Empathy and Compassion: Helen’s longing for sight and her observations of human emotions highlight the importance of understanding others.
3. Mindful Living: Imagining the loss of senses encourages living in the moment and cherishing everyday experiences.
4. Human Connection: Helen prioritizes seeing loved ones, showing the value of relationships.
5. Wonder of Nature and History: Her desire to see nature and human progress reflects her curiosity and admiration for the world.

Vocabulary (with Meanings)