The two films, The Help directed by Tate Taylor (2011) and The long Walk Home (1990) directed by Richard Pearce, both highlight the overall theme of racism within African American societies. Both films are somewhat similar by demonstrating the connections within the film’s plot; this has been achieved as the directors of both film’s highlight the key events during history, set in the early 60’s and mid 50’s. The main ideas raised within both texts include solidarity, growth and attitudes. Solidarity is represented by two of the main characters within the films; Skeeter who is a main character in The Help and Miriam in The long walk home. Both films demonstrate similar ways of portraying sympathy and admiration, due to white American women
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The two texts are alike in that they portray this idea through the use of two of the main African American maids; Odessa from The Long Walk Home and Aibleen from The Help. Both characters show a deep connection with white children due to their caring and nurturing personalities , which is seen through the use of characterisation. The impact of Aibleens sons death provoked her to become a maid. The impact of tragic death was an influence, which empowered Aibileen to teach children who she raised that the difference of colour in skin is not a problem, but the theme of love and kindness is what mattered for this character. In a similar vein, the film directed by Richard Pearce demonstrates Odessa’s connection with raising white children, as Odessa is hired by a wealthy family to complete house duties, as well as occupy Mary Catherine (Miriam’s youngest daughter) . The directors within both film productions use techniques such as close up camera shots when the maids are with the children. Both directors focus on the expressions of the child’s face when the maids are comforting the children; this technique was represented through both films as the directors demonstrate the crucial role which African American maids have in the family. It is clearly seen that these maids undertake a mother figure for these children, which mothers as well as farthers relied on for the jobs they couldn’t complete. One of the major occurrences within both films, was the separation from the maids and the white children. When a maid were to leave a child and not return; this would effect the child emotionally as the connection the child has with this mother figure would be gone. This symbolises the importance which these maids played within these childrens
The two texts are alike in that they portray this idea through the use of two of the main African American maids; Odessa from The Long Walk Home and Aibleen from The Help. Both characters show a deep connection with white children due to their caring and nurturing personalities , which is seen through the use of characterisation. The impact of Aibleens sons death provoked her to become a maid. The impact of tragic death was an influence, which empowered Aibileen to teach children who she raised that the difference of colour in skin is not a problem, but the theme of love and kindness is what mattered for this character. In a similar vein, the film directed by Richard Pearce demonstrates Odessa’s connection with raising white children, as Odessa is hired by a wealthy family to complete house duties, as well as occupy Mary Catherine (Miriam’s youngest daughter) . The directors within both film productions use techniques such as close up camera shots when the maids are with the children. Both directors focus on the expressions of the child’s face when the maids are comforting the children; this technique was represented through both films as the directors demonstrate the crucial role which African American maids have in the family. It is clearly seen that these maids undertake a mother figure for these children, which mothers as well as farthers relied on for the jobs they couldn’t complete. One of the major occurrences within both films, was the separation from the maids and the white children. When a maid were to leave a child and not return; this would effect the child emotionally as the connection the child has with this mother figure would be gone. This symbolises the importance which these maids played within these childrens