The Help, by Kathryn Stockett (2009)
The Help is a phenomenal book about Southern life in the 1960s, just as the Civil Rights movement is coming into fruition. The novel, which is set in Jackson, Mississippi, follows the daily lives of three women through their own voices.
Aibileen is the black maid of Elizabeth Leefolt. Elizabeth is a disinterested parent who leaves, not only the care of her house to Aibileen, but also the childrearing of her daughter Mae Mobley. Elizabeth ignores her own child, leaving her confused and distraught. Aibileen loves Mae Mobley and subtlety tries to teach her, through stories, how to treat all people equally.
Aibileen has spent her life raising other people’s children, only to see them turn on her once they reach adulthood. Although Aibileen attends their weddings, she must do so dressed as a maid.
Although Aibileen has worked for Miss Elizabeth for some time, she must use the house, ie, “white” bathroom. Elizabeth’s friend, Miss Hilly, informs Elizabeth, in Aibileen’s hearing, that the “colored” carry diseases, and that she should install an outdoor bathroom just for Aibileen. After the bathroom is built, the white ladies expect Aibileen to be thrilled to have her own facility.
Minny is another black maid. She is a close friend of Aibileen and about 16 years younger than her. Her perspective on tending to the needs of the white folk is considerably different than that of Aibileen. She has worked for some abusive women and has unfairly been accused of stealing silverware. In addition, she is in an abusive marriage and is trying to raise several children of her own.
She lands a job with Miss Celia Foote. Celia married up and hasn’t been accepted by the other women in Jackson. She cannot cook and secretly hires Minny to work for her and teach her to cook. Celia’s husband, Johnny, does not know that Minny has been hired, something that makes Minny very nervous.
Eugenie “Skeeter” Phalem, has just graduated from college and has returned home. It would be unthinkable for her to venture out on her own. She is tall and not conventionally beautiful. Her mother dreamed for her to marry a prominent man and become a good Southern wife. Skeeter, however, dreams of being a writer. She makes contact with an editor at a publishing company in New York who tells her to practice her writing skills.
Skeeter lands a job at the local paper writing a cleaning advise column. The only problem is that Skeeter has no knowledge of cleaning houses. For this, she begins conversations with Aibileen, who provides the background information for her columns.
Because Skeeter doesn’t have a boyfriend, her mother and friends try to set her up with a wealthly playboy. Skeeter longs for her beloved maid, Constantine, who left under mysterious circumstances. Skeeter is told that Constantine decided to move to Chicago, but she gleans bits and pieces of information with her budding friendship with Aibileen, that makes her realize that the move was not voluntary.
Skeeter becomes awakened to the growing civil unrest in Mississippi. Her friends don’t want things to change, but Skeeter suddenly wonders what life is really like for the black maids. She slowly gains the trust of a dozen maids who tell their stories, which she compiles into a book that is published to coincide with the Civil Rights March in Washington, DC.
The Help is a phenomenal book that explores moral values, friendships and racism. It is a book that is hard to put down and tells a powerful story.
Read: November 22, 2009
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