If someone was wanting to read a book that had words so powerful, almost offensive to some, and brilliant to others, one may suggest The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is a novel about a white woman in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, attempting to do something no one ever has before; write a novel about what it’s like for black women to work for white families. Although Stockett never meant for the words on the pages to be offensive, they did have a purpose. She used this novel to reflect her own life, and tunneled deep inside her creative mind to answer a few vague questions. Kathryn Stockett was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969. Many people say she was part of the classic “southern” stereotype of families in that region. Stockett’s family
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She treats their only child, Mae Mobley, as her own. Aibileen’s best friend is Minny Jackson, who can’t seem to hold a job due to her fireball-like personality. Minny’s husband is an alcoholic and gives her hell, even in front of the 5 kids that they have. It seems apparent that Stockett has divided the characteristics of Demetrie into multiple characters, perhaps for more dynamics throughout the story. The story really begins when Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan returns from college with big dreams of becoming a writer. In order to catch the attention of the publishers, she must do something that is almost unacceptable to do. She begins asking the black maids what it is like to work for white families. Appalled at first, every woman denies the interview. That is, until Aibileen steps up to the plate. Soon she gets a flood of anonymous and personal letters in contribution to her book. Responses range anywhere from “I haven’t any problems working this family” to “I’ve been dying to get out for 15 years but am too scared and poor to leave this job.” One could assume that Skeeter was a reflection of her young self; a young, novice writer trying to answer the burdening question in the back of her mind that no one else seemed brave enough to ask. In Stockett’s mind, she may have anticipated either response from Demetrie. She was very dear and near to the children but again, she was a maid. Stockett can only use her imagination and the living evidence to determine whether she enjoyed her job or not, since she will never be able to as Demetrie what she really thinks about it
She treats their only child, Mae Mobley, as her own. Aibileen’s best friend is Minny Jackson, who can’t seem to hold a job due to her fireball-like personality. Minny’s husband is an alcoholic and gives her hell, even in front of the 5 kids that they have. It seems apparent that Stockett has divided the characteristics of Demetrie into multiple characters, perhaps for more dynamics throughout the story. The story really begins when Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan returns from college with big dreams of becoming a writer. In order to catch the attention of the publishers, she must do something that is almost unacceptable to do. She begins asking the black maids what it is like to work for white families. Appalled at first, every woman denies the interview. That is, until Aibileen steps up to the plate. Soon she gets a flood of anonymous and personal letters in contribution to her book. Responses range anywhere from “I haven’t any problems working this family” to “I’ve been dying to get out for 15 years but am too scared and poor to leave this job.” One could assume that Skeeter was a reflection of her young self; a young, novice writer trying to answer the burdening question in the back of her mind that no one else seemed brave enough to ask. In Stockett’s mind, she may have anticipated either response from Demetrie. She was very dear and near to the children but again, she was a maid. Stockett can only use her imagination and the living evidence to determine whether she enjoyed her job or not, since she will never be able to as Demetrie what she really thinks about it