The Help
Historical Fiction
Amy Einhorn Books
February 10, 2009
451
THE STORY:
Aibileen and Minny are two African American maids working in Jackson, Mississippi in the year 1962. They go through daily struggle trying to survive in the small, conservative town. They work as maids, a common job for African American women, and they are known as the “help”. These women, usually quiet and obedient, seem to be stirring. Aibileen has difficulty with listening to her employer’s orders. She isn’t as forgiving towards anyone after her son passes away. Minny, one of Aibileen’s close friends, ends up jobless, and her usual fiery temper is on an even shorter fuse. Her former employer, Ms. Walter, is moving to a retirement home. As a result, Ms. Hilly, Ms. Walter’s daughter, asks Minny to work for her. Minny’s smart mouth, however, leads her into a sticky situation with Ms. Hilly, and only adds to her troubles. In the midst of these problems, Ms. Skeeter, a shy, white woman finds herself intertwined with Aibileen and Minny, while also being connected with Ms. Hilly. Wanting to end the social injustice towards African Americans, Skeeter becomes closer to Aibileen and Minny, but her close relationship with Hilly makes it difficult to talk to the maids in secret. Despite her situation, Skeeter is very determined, and risks Aibileen and Minny’s lives as well as her own, trying to protest against the segregation. They secretly collaborate and work on publishing an anonymous book that shows the real side to African American maids. The three women try their best to publish the book without getting caught, but protesting against segregation in Jackson, Mississippi is nearly impossible.
MY OPINION:
The Help was the most profound book I have ever read, and it was very meaningful to me. The author has a very unique writing style, and keeps the reader interested throughout the whole book. The use of dialogue allows for subtle but very sophisticated characterization. Additionally, the characters themselves are idiosyncratic, all individuals who add to the story. The word choice is very refined, allowing for great use of literary terms. Although this book has many strong elements, a weakness of the book would be its fast pace. Nearly all of the main characters are introduced within the first chapter, making the book difficult to comprehend, and this can discourage the reader from reading. Because of the difficulty level and the serious topics mentioned in the book, the age level that would best enjoy this book would be thirteen and above. If I could go back in time, I would definitely choose this book again because of its deep and important meaning that shed light on many new topics. I would rate this book ten out of ten stars.
STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:
FIRST SECTION
1. Who gathers for the bridge club at Miss Leefolt’s house? (pg. 6)
1a. Miss Hilly Holbrook, Miss Walter, and Miss Skeeter gather to play bridge.
2. Why does Minny have no job? (pg. 25)
2a. Minny has no job because Miss Hilly lied to everyone in the neighbourhood, saying that Minny stole her silverware.
3. What does Aibileen constantly teach Mae Mobley? (pg. 107)
3a. Aibileen teaches Mae Mobley that she is a smart, kind girl.
4. Why is Skeeter so nervous? (pg. 136)
4a. Because she is going on her first blind date.
5. How does Mister Johnny react to meeting Minny? (pg. 163)
5a. He is completely fine with having her in the house, to Minny’s surprise.
rotunda (pg. 6)
okra (pg. 19)
reverie (pg. 61)
paunchy (pg. 132)
juleps (pg. 134)
MIDDLE SECTION
6. Why are Mrs. Skeeter and Aibileen worried about after Ms. Stein’s phone call? (pg. 187)
6a. Ms. Stein wants the book by January, and requires that at least twelve maids be interviewed. Currently, they have only interviewed two maids, so it is doubtful whether they can finish the book in time.
7. Who are the two children who play with Mae Mobley in the backyard? (pg. 199)
7a. Heather and Will, Hilly’s children, play with Mae Mobley.
8. How do Leroy Jr. and Sugar work? (pg. 225)
8a. Leroy Jr. bags groceries at the Jitney 14, and Sugar babysits.
9. What does Gretchen do that shocks Ms. Skeeter and Aibileen? (pg. 305)
9a. She angrily insults Ms. Skeeter, saying that all other women hate her, telling her that she is fake.
10. What subject is discussed at the dinner table that makes everyone uncomfortable? (pg. 316)
10a. The subject of how African Americans are treated in Mississippi causes awkward tension because of their different views.
anthropological (pg. 185)
palpitations (pg. 193)
colic (pg. 306)
peau de soie (309)
weevils (315)
LAST SECTION
11. What does Celia say to Hilly that makes Aibileen stop cold? (pg. 352)
11a. Celia says that Minny is her maid.
12. What does Hilly request from Celia for the commotion she made at the Benefit Event? (pg.394)
12a. Hilly requests $200.
13. After the league meeting, where does Skeeter go?
13a. She drives around town aimlessly, shocked and sad that she had lost her job as editor.
14. What does Skeeter find out about her mom after sending in the manuscripts?
14a. She finds out that her mom has cancer.
15. Why does Hilly say she would press charges against Aibileen?
15a. Hilly falsely accuses Aibileen, saying she stole silverware.
kudzu (pg. 355)
hussified (pg. 375)
philanthropic (pg. 412)
enamel (pg. 439)
macabre (pg. 440)