The Help features a strong protagonist, Aibileen, an African American maid. She is a warm, compassionate woman who bears racial oppression with a quiet resilience. The bitterness over the death of her son prompts Aibileen to help Miss Skeeter reveal the truth about how “white” women treat their maids. Her honourable principles and desire to hold Jackson accountable for the oppression of black domestic workers, gives her the strength to continue working on the project, despite many dangers threatening her. Aibileen is always captured wearing grey-and-white uniforms, blending in with the starched tablecloths and sideboard doilies. This characterises her as someone who does not complain about her treatment, nor does she confront disputes. Cinematographer
