Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help focuses on the idea of oppression and reveals the idea of cycles within families and environments through the use of Miss Leefolt, Miss Celia, and Stuart Whitworth. By using these characters, Stockett shows how the way people are brought up as a child, molds who they go on to become as an adult. Miss Leefolt’s constant mistreatment by her mother when she was young led to the abuse of her own child when she became a parent. Though Miss Leefolt claims she loves her daughter Mae Mobley, the blatant abuse of her child makes it very hard to believe. When Mae Mobley “[Holds] her arms out… [Miss Leefolt] act like she don’t see” (Stockett 12). Miss Leefolt refuses to show any love or attention towards her own child,
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As a result of this, she can strongly relate to and understand the struggles faced by the help. While giving Minny a tour of her mansion, Miss Celia speaks to Minny about her life and childhood in Sugar Ditch. Minny is shocked by this stating; “Sugar Ditch is as low as you can go in Mississippi, maybe in the whole United States” (Stockett 39). Minny claims that Sugar Ditch is the worst place to live in the entire United States, even worse than the terrible conditions readers witness in Jackson. This displays how Celia grew up very similarly to how Minny, and the rest of the help currently live. Therefore Celia can relate to the help, specifically Minny and this is the root of the great sympathy she displays throughout the novel. This sympathy is visible as Minny enters Miss Celia’s home for her interview expecting to be mistreated as usual, but little does she know she is greatly mistaken. Miss Celia immediately displays her loving character and when speaking about what hours Minny should work, Miss Celia asks; “What time do you want to come in?” (Stockett 42). Here, Miss Celia shows her respect her for Minny letting her choose her own hours, understanding that Minny’s life is not easy and doing everything she could do help. This sympathy and understanding is also displayed when Minny is struggling for money to buy air conditioning and pay her electric bill. Miss Celia hears about this and states, ‘“Oh, Minny, I wish
As a result of this, she can strongly relate to and understand the struggles faced by the help. While giving Minny a tour of her mansion, Miss Celia speaks to Minny about her life and childhood in Sugar Ditch. Minny is shocked by this stating; “Sugar Ditch is as low as you can go in Mississippi, maybe in the whole United States” (Stockett 39). Minny claims that Sugar Ditch is the worst place to live in the entire United States, even worse than the terrible conditions readers witness in Jackson. This displays how Celia grew up very similarly to how Minny, and the rest of the help currently live. Therefore Celia can relate to the help, specifically Minny and this is the root of the great sympathy she displays throughout the novel. This sympathy is visible as Minny enters Miss Celia’s home for her interview expecting to be mistreated as usual, but little does she know she is greatly mistaken. Miss Celia immediately displays her loving character and when speaking about what hours Minny should work, Miss Celia asks; “What time do you want to come in?” (Stockett 42). Here, Miss Celia shows her respect her for Minny letting her choose her own hours, understanding that Minny’s life is not easy and doing everything she could do help. This sympathy and understanding is also displayed when Minny is struggling for money to buy air conditioning and pay her electric bill. Miss Celia hears about this and states, ‘“Oh, Minny, I wish