Question

Attempt a character sketch of Mr Gilman as a teacher.

Answer 1

Mr. Gilman was the principal of the Cambridge School for Young Ladies. Apart from Frau Grote, he was the only teacher who had learned the finger alphabet to instruct Helen in her studies. Mr. Gilman instructed her for a part of the year in English literature. Mr. Gilman's broad views on history and literature and his clever explanations made Helen's work easier and more pleasant. Mr. Gilman read all the papers to her by means of the manual alphabet. He sat beside her and read the examination papers sentence by sentence. He spelled out to her what she had written so that she could make the necessary changes. Mr. Gilman was the person who sent her written work to the examiners with the certificate that Helen, candidate No.233 had written the papers. However, he thought that Helen was overworked even though Miss Sullivan believed otherwise. In the end, Helen's mother withdrew her from the school due to a difference of opinion between the two teachers. Mr. Gilman had helped Helen but he underestimated her potential for hard work

Answer 2

Mr Arthur Gilman, the principle of Cambridge school of young Ladies, was a thoughtful person and a kind teacher. Helen met him when she joined Cambridge while preparing to gain admission into Radcliffe. He helped Helen in many ways. He not only taught her but also interpreted texts for her. He was her mentor and her guide. He generously made concessions to allow Helen’s sister Mildred to study in Cambridge. He read texts with her like Shakespeare’s ‘As you like it’. He constantly stoked Helen’s interest in studies and kept her motivated throughout her course. But their friendship fell apart due to the difference of opinion with Miss Sullivan.