Dominant Attitudes In The Film The Help, By Tate Taylor

Dominant attitudes in a society are revealed by the conflict between characters and people in texts. Both Skeeter and Hilly from the 2011 blockbuster, The Help, effectively construct the dominant attitudes held by the American Society in the early 1960’s with regards to the treatment and rights of African Americans in a currently white endorsed culture. The liberal push for increased Negro rights is accomplished by Skeeters challenge on the dominant attitudes, which are represented by Hilly and endorse attitudes for a White supremist society which is widely accepted in the American culture during the setting of the film. Through the careful construction of this film by Tate Taylor, the director, the audience is positioned to sympathise with the Skeeters representation of the African American population, and reject or challenge the dominant attitudes presented by Hillys portrayal of the Negro community.

The conflict between Skeeter and Hilly is successfully constructed to …show more content…
This shift in dominant attitudes causes unrest in the division between both representations of the 1960’s American society. This new change in social concepts causes a wave of actions taken to combat the support for Hillys representation of a pro white society. These actions were drastic and prove that change towards equal rights became more imminent. Examples of this include toilets being dumped onto Hillys front lawn after a “misunderstanding” was made in the local newspaper stating that all unused toilets previously used for the help could be donated to Hilly. Another action taken to change the dominant attitudes in the society includes Minnys chocolate pie, which was a strong symbol that change has occurred and power in the dominant attitudes held had changed to reflect the representation that Skeeter was conflicting over with