July 28, 2011
First the facts: A Lesson Before Dying is set in Louisiana during the 1940's. The Help takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's. A Lesson centers around the future death of one man, as well as the racism African Americans faced in society. The Help is about brave women trying to change the future of society by easing out the racism they face. Of course both novels are fictional and written by two completely opposite authors, one a black man and the other a white woman. But somehow both novel place importance on the same central issue: racism and self discovery.
Grant's world is one where racism is acceptable. The idea of civil rights is still several years away, and that reflects on the unfair treatment and lack of advancement toward African Americans. Grant handles this with much resentment, but he learns there is a way to show society they're wrong. He helps to show a man, deemed swine-like, how to look people in the eye. In Aibileen and Minny's world, racism is something that exist, but it's not called that. Society makes it seem as if keeping colored people separate for the rest of the world is almost like doing them a favor. Minny and Aibileen seem much more content in their world, yet they desire change for future generation, not themselves. Grant fight racism through the power of education to another. And in their own way Minny and Aibileen fight racism through education too. They educate society on what really happens in white homes between maids and bosses. I've used the "knowledge is power" quote before, but this just further prove that education of facts, and of people's true personality is what really led to the end of racism.
Learning about ones' self is not a new concept. It is an idea that is expressed in many volumes of literary work. But in A Lesson Before Dying and The Help the concept is new to the central characters. Grant lived in a society where the white people told him who he was. And Skeeter was raised by a family who told her who she was. Grant and Skeeter are both free thinkers. They are individuals who want more for themselves, than just the life set for them. So through different paths, both characters ended their respective novels by learning who they truly are in respect to what society had told them what they were supposed to be. That is what helped to make them characters that people of any age can relate to, and what helped to make themes of the novels something that will always apply to society.
A Lesson Before Dying and The Help have many differences between them. They are two completely different books, yet they somehow cover the same topic and teach the same life lesson. Maybe it is because in order to have growth, characters must change who they are, and that's what makes them dynamic. Or maybe these novels just touch of a time in history when self discovery was something desired and sought after, but not encouraged, which is why characters like Grant and Skeeter are so interesting. Because they go against what society is telling them. I would like to think there is a connection between the ending of racism and discrimination, and the beginning of individualism and people becoming their own person, not just following the ways pervious generations have set for them.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Final Response - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 28, 2011
"Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."
The reason for Skeeter to go against everything she had every known was to get society to realize black, white, poor, rich, christian, or not, we are not that different. This is close to the several themes I find the novel carries. To be who you truly are, and it's what's on the inside that counts are the two that I see most prominent. The Help touches on several issues such as domestic violence, racism, mother/ child relationships, and acceptance in society which all help to shape it's theme.
Minny's character was abused by her father and now by her husband. Like most victims of violence, she thinks it's her fault, she did something to set them off. Throughout the novel, as she gets to see the love Johnny has for Miss Celia without anger, she learned that true love does not hurt. Like everyone else, Minny is scared of rejection. She doesn't want her husband to leave her if she speaks up. After a while, it seems redundant that Minny is scared for her life over the consequence of the book, yet she risk it every night just by going home. When Aibileen finally tells Minny she is free, she seems to understand she has options. I found this to be alluding to her own sort of emancipation proclamation. Like when the slaves were finally free from their masters, Minny was free from her own captivity in a abusive marriage. The white peace dove on her book, a symbol of new freedom for her. Minny also finds herself trust people she never thought she would. Minny and Celia gain a friendship through the course of the novel, characterized by their common rejection from society. Celia helps Minny to learn who she truly is, and helps her to see the bravery she has. This realization eventually lead to her being about to leave her husband and to trust a white woman, because after all, they are just two women.
After raising 17 children Aibileen has finally raised her last white baby, and she left an everlasting impression on her. Aibileen worries for Mae Mobley's future because of her stoic mother, and racist adults that surround her life. She teaches Mae to not look at the color of people's skin and judge them, and also to never consider herself worthless. You know the expression, "one bad apple spoils the bunch?" Well here I see the opposite. Aibileen thinks if she can make "one good apple", then she may be able to influence other people over the years, like her little brother. Aibileen also makes a new friend too, which is also with a white woman. Skeeter and Aibileen form a bond, like one almost similar to one a mother and child share. Aibileen found someone who she can help to understand what it's really like for the other half and in turn Skeeter found someone who accepts the true her.
It shows that true friendship isn't judgmental, like Skeeter had experienced in the past. Skeeter struggles through the novel, trying to fit into the idea of what she is supposed to be. After a while she realizes, she just needs to be who she is. I think the fight to be accepted into society is something everyone struggles with. It is a common problem, even in society today. The fact that Miss Skeeter goes through this gives her a personality that is easily relatable. Her struggle with societal acceptance makes her a character everyone can relate to and helps to build the realness of the novel.
Skeeter's motivation behind the novel will always be because of her relationship with Constantine. Which is explained through a common motif used throughout the novel. A look into the relationship between a mother and child. But it isn't always a genetic mother and child. In their society, maids typically raise white children. Constantine raised Skeeter, and had a special bond because Constantine always encouraged Skeeter to be who she wants to be, as opposed to her mother who has a mold she expected Skeeter to fit into. Aibileen raised Mae Mobley to understand what a mother truly does is love their child, not punish them when they are bad. And Minny taught Celia that mothers are understanding and will tell you the truth, even when it hurts, but they will always take care of you. All these women are different, but they all find comfort in each other. I think this is because it's not having a child that makes you a mother, but it is the love and support you give them that makes you one. I think the mother/ child motif is used in The Help because it is set during a time when the woman's role was to take care of the house and children, so it just adds to the authenticity of the setting.
As Aibileen said "[they] d[id] something brave and good here." Even though The Help is fiction, the stories that it contains most likely happened. I have a cousin who was raised by their black maid, Mary. She remembers how much she loved her, and how she was like a part of the family. Some stories in the novel are similar to the ones of my cousin, which goes to show if the good ones are real, the bad one are too. The Help is truly a educational novel, whether real or not, on how life for African Americans in the south during the 60's was not an easy one, but because of some brave individuals, like Minny and Aibileen, change did happen. And that led to the society we now live in today.
""The Help" Trailer HD." Youtube. Web. 28 Jul 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbuKgzgeUIU>.
"Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."
The reason for Skeeter to go against everything she had every known was to get society to realize black, white, poor, rich, christian, or not, we are not that different. This is close to the several themes I find the novel carries. To be who you truly are, and it's what's on the inside that counts are the two that I see most prominent. The Help touches on several issues such as domestic violence, racism, mother/ child relationships, and acceptance in society which all help to shape it's theme.
Minny's character was abused by her father and now by her husband. Like most victims of violence, she thinks it's her fault, she did something to set them off. Throughout the novel, as she gets to see the love Johnny has for Miss Celia without anger, she learned that true love does not hurt. Like everyone else, Minny is scared of rejection. She doesn't want her husband to leave her if she speaks up. After a while, it seems redundant that Minny is scared for her life over the consequence of the book, yet she risk it every night just by going home. When Aibileen finally tells Minny she is free, she seems to understand she has options. I found this to be alluding to her own sort of emancipation proclamation. Like when the slaves were finally free from their masters, Minny was free from her own captivity in a abusive marriage. The white peace dove on her book, a symbol of new freedom for her. Minny also finds herself trust people she never thought she would. Minny and Celia gain a friendship through the course of the novel, characterized by their common rejection from society. Celia helps Minny to learn who she truly is, and helps her to see the bravery she has. This realization eventually lead to her being about to leave her husband and to trust a white woman, because after all, they are just two women.
After raising 17 children Aibileen has finally raised her last white baby, and she left an everlasting impression on her. Aibileen worries for Mae Mobley's future because of her stoic mother, and racist adults that surround her life. She teaches Mae to not look at the color of people's skin and judge them, and also to never consider herself worthless. You know the expression, "one bad apple spoils the bunch?" Well here I see the opposite. Aibileen thinks if she can make "one good apple", then she may be able to influence other people over the years, like her little brother. Aibileen also makes a new friend too, which is also with a white woman. Skeeter and Aibileen form a bond, like one almost similar to one a mother and child share. Aibileen found someone who she can help to understand what it's really like for the other half and in turn Skeeter found someone who accepts the true her.
It shows that true friendship isn't judgmental, like Skeeter had experienced in the past. Skeeter struggles through the novel, trying to fit into the idea of what she is supposed to be. After a while she realizes, she just needs to be who she is. I think the fight to be accepted into society is something everyone struggles with. It is a common problem, even in society today. The fact that Miss Skeeter goes through this gives her a personality that is easily relatable. Her struggle with societal acceptance makes her a character everyone can relate to and helps to build the realness of the novel.
Skeeter's motivation behind the novel will always be because of her relationship with Constantine. Which is explained through a common motif used throughout the novel. A look into the relationship between a mother and child. But it isn't always a genetic mother and child. In their society, maids typically raise white children. Constantine raised Skeeter, and had a special bond because Constantine always encouraged Skeeter to be who she wants to be, as opposed to her mother who has a mold she expected Skeeter to fit into. Aibileen raised Mae Mobley to understand what a mother truly does is love their child, not punish them when they are bad. And Minny taught Celia that mothers are understanding and will tell you the truth, even when it hurts, but they will always take care of you. All these women are different, but they all find comfort in each other. I think this is because it's not having a child that makes you a mother, but it is the love and support you give them that makes you one. I think the mother/ child motif is used in The Help because it is set during a time when the woman's role was to take care of the house and children, so it just adds to the authenticity of the setting.
As Aibileen said "[they] d[id] something brave and good here." Even though The Help is fiction, the stories that it contains most likely happened. I have a cousin who was raised by their black maid, Mary. She remembers how much she loved her, and how she was like a part of the family. Some stories in the novel are similar to the ones of my cousin, which goes to show if the good ones are real, the bad one are too. The Help is truly a educational novel, whether real or not, on how life for African Americans in the south during the 60's was not an easy one, but because of some brave individuals, like Minny and Aibileen, change did happen. And that led to the society we now live in today.
""The Help" Trailer HD." Youtube. Web. 28 Jul 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbuKgzgeUIU>.
Reading Response #14 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 28, 2011
Pages 473 - 522
Chapter 30 - 34
The damage has been done. The town of Jackson is figuring out who the women in the book Help are, and are firing maids because of it. That is until Miss Hilly reads the end, learning that Minny included the pie story and began insisting the book is a bunch of made up garbage. It very intuitive of Minny to know that Miss Hilly cares more about her reputation than she does about getting revenge. This shows that Hilly's character is vindictive, yet her acceptance in society defines who she is and without it, she really is nothing.
This is very different from the character Skeeter turned out to be. Although she was stung by her friends abandoning her, she found a new life for herself in New York. As Minny told her, she had nothing for her in Jackson. I think this shows that Skeeter is a character that is not defined by her surroundings, but she is who she is. She does not change anything about herself for anybody anymore, and this shows the growth she's had since the beginning of the novel, where she did what she was told to please people. She is a dynamic character.
Minny is now set for life. She will always have a job with Johnny and Celia. She has also decided to leave her abusive husband. Minny has always come off as a strong willed, tough woman through the novel, but she shapes into someone who cares about everyone else, more than she does herself. She wants other maids' jobs to be secure over her own, which makes Minny appear as a martyr. I see this because she believes in the advances of African Americans in society, and is willing to risk her own life, and job for the greater good for her community.
And finally Aibileen has done what she could for Mae Mobley. After Hilly realized she was apart of the book, she got Mrs. Leefolt to fire her. Before leaving she asked Mae Mobley if she remember what she always told her. When Mae told her that she is kind and intelligent and beautiful Aibileen knew she would be ok. Aibileen may have made a difference by the words she wrote, but I find the purpose of her character is to help future generation, like Mae, to know that they are important, but no better than other people in society.
All these women help to shape the themes of the novel. You can't judge a book by it's cover. Beauty is only skin deep. It's what's on the inside that counts. All these are proven by the kind, intelligent maids and the ignorant, bigoted white people they work for. Minny and Aibileen show characters like Mae Mobley and Celia that it's the kind of person you are, not the color, that matters in friendship. Skeeter proves that true friends will accept you no matter what, when she finds real friendship with Aibileen, much as she had with Constantine. Basically I found the novel to say be who you are and take pride in it because you might just change someone's life.
Pages 473 - 522
Chapter 30 - 34
The damage has been done. The town of Jackson is figuring out who the women in the book Help are, and are firing maids because of it. That is until Miss Hilly reads the end, learning that Minny included the pie story and began insisting the book is a bunch of made up garbage. It very intuitive of Minny to know that Miss Hilly cares more about her reputation than she does about getting revenge. This shows that Hilly's character is vindictive, yet her acceptance in society defines who she is and without it, she really is nothing.
This is very different from the character Skeeter turned out to be. Although she was stung by her friends abandoning her, she found a new life for herself in New York. As Minny told her, she had nothing for her in Jackson. I think this shows that Skeeter is a character that is not defined by her surroundings, but she is who she is. She does not change anything about herself for anybody anymore, and this shows the growth she's had since the beginning of the novel, where she did what she was told to please people. She is a dynamic character.
Minny is now set for life. She will always have a job with Johnny and Celia. She has also decided to leave her abusive husband. Minny has always come off as a strong willed, tough woman through the novel, but she shapes into someone who cares about everyone else, more than she does herself. She wants other maids' jobs to be secure over her own, which makes Minny appear as a martyr. I see this because she believes in the advances of African Americans in society, and is willing to risk her own life, and job for the greater good for her community.
And finally Aibileen has done what she could for Mae Mobley. After Hilly realized she was apart of the book, she got Mrs. Leefolt to fire her. Before leaving she asked Mae Mobley if she remember what she always told her. When Mae told her that she is kind and intelligent and beautiful Aibileen knew she would be ok. Aibileen may have made a difference by the words she wrote, but I find the purpose of her character is to help future generation, like Mae, to know that they are important, but no better than other people in society.
All these women help to shape the themes of the novel. You can't judge a book by it's cover. Beauty is only skin deep. It's what's on the inside that counts. All these are proven by the kind, intelligent maids and the ignorant, bigoted white people they work for. Minny and Aibileen show characters like Mae Mobley and Celia that it's the kind of person you are, not the color, that matters in friendship. Skeeter proves that true friends will accept you no matter what, when she finds real friendship with Aibileen, much as she had with Constantine. Basically I found the novel to say be who you are and take pride in it because you might just change someone's life.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Quote #10 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
Pages 447 and 468
"Why is it that someone always seems to be ashamed of me?" - Skeeter
"'This one, this is for the white lady. You tell her we love her, like she's our own family." - The Reverend to Aibileen, when giving her a gift for Skeeter
I found these quotes as a sort of question and answer. Skeeter feels as if everyone in her life is ashamed of who she really is. After Aibileen's community read their book, they grew to love and appreciate Skeeter. It's ironic that Skeeter's own community rejects her, while the community they reject accept her. I find it to show that acceptance may not always lie where you think it will, but the people who truly accept you for yourself, will never turn their back on you.
The fact that a black community is supporting the actions of a white lady shows how much the book means to them. They could be killed for it, but because Skeeter did something for them they are indebted to her. The fact that they consider her family shows the magnitude of love they feel for her. Skeeter started off feeling as if she was betraying her community by writing this book, but now she knows her motivation comes from the joy that all the maids felt when it was published. I find this to show how Skeeter's alliance has shifted and how she's found with whom she's truly feels like she fits in.
This also reaches into the topic of acceptance the book always seems to be talking about. One's constant desire to fit into society is a subject that seems to be central to the book. Hilly and Mrs. Leefolt's motivation is wanting to be the ideal person in society, therefore looking for content acceptance. Miss Skeeter's motivation had been the same as their's up until she being seeing the world from a different point of view, one of the help. I think by Skeeter finally being accepted into society will show her to have a shift in character. This will hopefully lead her to discover the importance of the fact that it's what's on the inside that count, not on the outside. And also will lead Skeeter on the road to self discovery and she will learn who she truly is. I find these quotes to be important because they are showing Skeeter is on the path to learning about herself, and it is also leading up to the shaping of the theme of the novel.
Pages 447 and 468
"Why is it that someone always seems to be ashamed of me?" - Skeeter
"'This one, this is for the white lady. You tell her we love her, like she's our own family." - The Reverend to Aibileen, when giving her a gift for Skeeter
I found these quotes as a sort of question and answer. Skeeter feels as if everyone in her life is ashamed of who she really is. After Aibileen's community read their book, they grew to love and appreciate Skeeter. It's ironic that Skeeter's own community rejects her, while the community they reject accept her. I find it to show that acceptance may not always lie where you think it will, but the people who truly accept you for yourself, will never turn their back on you.
The fact that a black community is supporting the actions of a white lady shows how much the book means to them. They could be killed for it, but because Skeeter did something for them they are indebted to her. The fact that they consider her family shows the magnitude of love they feel for her. Skeeter started off feeling as if she was betraying her community by writing this book, but now she knows her motivation comes from the joy that all the maids felt when it was published. I find this to show how Skeeter's alliance has shifted and how she's found with whom she's truly feels like she fits in.
This also reaches into the topic of acceptance the book always seems to be talking about. One's constant desire to fit into society is a subject that seems to be central to the book. Hilly and Mrs. Leefolt's motivation is wanting to be the ideal person in society, therefore looking for content acceptance. Miss Skeeter's motivation had been the same as their's up until she being seeing the world from a different point of view, one of the help. I think by Skeeter finally being accepted into society will show her to have a shift in character. This will hopefully lead her to discover the importance of the fact that it's what's on the inside that count, not on the outside. And also will lead Skeeter on the road to self discovery and she will learn who she truly is. I find these quotes to be important because they are showing Skeeter is on the path to learning about herself, and it is also leading up to the shaping of the theme of the novel.
Reading Response #13 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
Pages 435 - 471
Chapters 28 - 29
Firstly, Miss Skeeter's book has been published. It hadn't had any publicity, until a talk show reviewed it, which will undoubtably lead to the women who was talked about in it reading it. Stuart proposed to Miss Skeeter, but after she told him about the book, he retracted him proposal. And finally, Miss Skeeter's mother is dying of cancer. Skeeter is now finally opening to a relationship with her mother.
A common motif in the novel has been the look into mother/ child relationships. There is the way Miss Hilly is gentle with her children. Mrs. Leefolt's harshness with Mae Mobley, as well as Aibileen's caring words toward her. Miss Skeeter's relationships with both Constance and her mother. It really highlights the way the maids gain motherly relationship with the children they raise, and how tough it is for the actual mothers to gain relationships later in life.
Aibileen's church had reached out and told her they support her through the controversy that will surely come out with the book. They also told her that they love and support Miss Skeeter too. I think this shows the new shift is balance in the community. While in the beginning, the blacks looked out only for their own, by reaching out to Skeeter now, show the affect the integration efforts have on the community. Now, by Skeeter publishing something that shows the world the truth about their community, the African Americans are trusting her, and accepting her. Ironic that she is no longer accepted by her own people, but by people that she's been taught are too different from her to have anything in common.
On the cover of Help is a white peace dove. Obviously the dove represents peace. Aibileen notes how nicely it looks on the cover. I find it, of course, symbolic for the desire for future peace between the races. Also along with the Bob Dylan song, a symbol of hope for changing times.
Pages 435 - 471
Chapters 28 - 29
Firstly, Miss Skeeter's book has been published. It hadn't had any publicity, until a talk show reviewed it, which will undoubtably lead to the women who was talked about in it reading it. Stuart proposed to Miss Skeeter, but after she told him about the book, he retracted him proposal. And finally, Miss Skeeter's mother is dying of cancer. Skeeter is now finally opening to a relationship with her mother.
A common motif in the novel has been the look into mother/ child relationships. There is the way Miss Hilly is gentle with her children. Mrs. Leefolt's harshness with Mae Mobley, as well as Aibileen's caring words toward her. Miss Skeeter's relationships with both Constance and her mother. It really highlights the way the maids gain motherly relationship with the children they raise, and how tough it is for the actual mothers to gain relationships later in life.
Aibileen's church had reached out and told her they support her through the controversy that will surely come out with the book. They also told her that they love and support Miss Skeeter too. I think this shows the new shift is balance in the community. While in the beginning, the blacks looked out only for their own, by reaching out to Skeeter now, show the affect the integration efforts have on the community. Now, by Skeeter publishing something that shows the world the truth about their community, the African Americans are trusting her, and accepting her. Ironic that she is no longer accepted by her own people, but by people that she's been taught are too different from her to have anything in common.
On the cover of Help is a white peace dove. Obviously the dove represents peace. Aibileen notes how nicely it looks on the cover. I find it, of course, symbolic for the desire for future peace between the races. Also along with the Bob Dylan song, a symbol of hope for changing times.
Quote #9 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
Page 414 - 415
"...you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin.'
.... I feel a rush of inexplicable relief. I feel like I've just heard something from the future."
-Miss Skeeter after hearing a Bob Dylan song
While feeling lonely and empty, Miss Skeeter hears these words and suddenly feels as if things will be ok. Looking at the lyrics, "you'll sink like a stone," at first I thought was talking about how Miss Skeeter was feelings currently. But with "for the times they are a-changin'" makes me think about the rest of society. People like Miss Hilly, who can't let go of the old ways, will drown in the new society coming up ahead. Meaning new changes will be occurring.
To Miss Skeeter this is a sign of hope. New things will be coming, which I can't help but think will be linked to the book. She feels as if it's something from the future because she now sees that her book is something that can possibly change the future of their society. The song lyrics are just a symbol of new hope for her and a sign that things are moving in the right direction.
On top of being a symbol I see these words foreshadowing a future change in society to. The song was released in 1964, after the time when The Help is set (Stockett). The fact the Stockett put in a song that had yet to be released, I think shows the words have significance to them. With Skeeter finding hope in the lyrics, I can't help but to think they are trying to readers to foresee a change in society that will come from the novel. Not only will society change, but people are going to go down because of it. Will it be the maids as a result of what they've written? Or will it be people like Hilly who will finally be revealed as the monster she is? This quite does leave a feeling of elation, because it does indicate the book will have the impact Skeeter wants to make, but it also leaves a tone of suspense for who will be the one to "sink like a stone."
Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. New York, NY : The Berkley Publishing Group, 2009. 523. Print.
"Bob Dylan - Times They are a-Changin'." Youtube. Web. 27 Jul 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCWdCKPtnYE>.
Page 414 - 415
"...you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin.'
.... I feel a rush of inexplicable relief. I feel like I've just heard something from the future."
-Miss Skeeter after hearing a Bob Dylan song
While feeling lonely and empty, Miss Skeeter hears these words and suddenly feels as if things will be ok. Looking at the lyrics, "you'll sink like a stone," at first I thought was talking about how Miss Skeeter was feelings currently. But with "for the times they are a-changin'" makes me think about the rest of society. People like Miss Hilly, who can't let go of the old ways, will drown in the new society coming up ahead. Meaning new changes will be occurring.
To Miss Skeeter this is a sign of hope. New things will be coming, which I can't help but think will be linked to the book. She feels as if it's something from the future because she now sees that her book is something that can possibly change the future of their society. The song lyrics are just a symbol of new hope for her and a sign that things are moving in the right direction.
On top of being a symbol I see these words foreshadowing a future change in society to. The song was released in 1964, after the time when The Help is set (Stockett). The fact the Stockett put in a song that had yet to be released, I think shows the words have significance to them. With Skeeter finding hope in the lyrics, I can't help but to think they are trying to readers to foresee a change in society that will come from the novel. Not only will society change, but people are going to go down because of it. Will it be the maids as a result of what they've written? Or will it be people like Hilly who will finally be revealed as the monster she is? This quite does leave a feeling of elation, because it does indicate the book will have the impact Skeeter wants to make, but it also leaves a tone of suspense for who will be the one to "sink like a stone."
Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. New York, NY : The Berkley Publishing Group, 2009. 523. Print.
"Bob Dylan - Times They are a-Changin'." Youtube. Web. 27 Jul 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCWdCKPtnYE>.
Reading Response #12 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
Pages 392 - 434
Chapters 26 - 27
Two weeks after JFK's assassination which was November 22, 1963, it is the days after the disastrous charity ball, and Miss Celia is so upset about being rejected from the League ladies. Minny finally tells her about the "Terrible Awful" thing she did to Miss Hilly. She told her to "eat [her] shit" then went home to make her a chocolate pie, seemingly as a peace offering. After Miss Hilly ate two slices of it, Minny told her what was really in it. After hearing this Miss Celia finally snaps out of whatever trance she was in. The next day she cut down that mimosa tree in her backyard. Now I really see the tree a a symbol for Celia acceptance in society. It stayed dead, because she would never be accepted, so she finally cut it down, symbolically showing she doesn't care about societal acceptance anymore.
Next we saw Miss Skeeter rushing to finish the last few chapters of her book. Aibileen found an appropriate title, Help, and they even added Minny's "Terrible Awful" thing for insurance, for Miss Hilly would never want that story to get out about her. Skeeter also learned the truth about Constantine. How her white looking daughter embarrassed her mother, so Skeeter's mother kicked them both out after telling Constantine's daughter her mother was embarrassed to have her. Constantine died 3 weeks after her move to Chicago. It appears the reason Constantine and Skeeter had such a strong relationship is because Skeeter longed for a mother who loved and accepted her, without ridicule, and Constantine wanted a daughter to replace the one she had to give up. They just filled a hole that the other had in their life.
Miss Skeeter also quit smoking. She had quit about 2 months ago, around the time of her exile from society. This fits symbolically that smoking does somehow represent the acceptance and fitting in to society. Skeeter no longer fit in, not because she no longer smokes, but the two do coincide. Her quitting smoking just represents when she quit trying to fit in, and finally did what she wanted to do.
Pages 392 - 434
Chapters 26 - 27
Two weeks after JFK's assassination which was November 22, 1963, it is the days after the disastrous charity ball, and Miss Celia is so upset about being rejected from the League ladies. Minny finally tells her about the "Terrible Awful" thing she did to Miss Hilly. She told her to "eat [her] shit" then went home to make her a chocolate pie, seemingly as a peace offering. After Miss Hilly ate two slices of it, Minny told her what was really in it. After hearing this Miss Celia finally snaps out of whatever trance she was in. The next day she cut down that mimosa tree in her backyard. Now I really see the tree a a symbol for Celia acceptance in society. It stayed dead, because she would never be accepted, so she finally cut it down, symbolically showing she doesn't care about societal acceptance anymore.
Next we saw Miss Skeeter rushing to finish the last few chapters of her book. Aibileen found an appropriate title, Help, and they even added Minny's "Terrible Awful" thing for insurance, for Miss Hilly would never want that story to get out about her. Skeeter also learned the truth about Constantine. How her white looking daughter embarrassed her mother, so Skeeter's mother kicked them both out after telling Constantine's daughter her mother was embarrassed to have her. Constantine died 3 weeks after her move to Chicago. It appears the reason Constantine and Skeeter had such a strong relationship is because Skeeter longed for a mother who loved and accepted her, without ridicule, and Constantine wanted a daughter to replace the one she had to give up. They just filled a hole that the other had in their life.
Miss Skeeter also quit smoking. She had quit about 2 months ago, around the time of her exile from society. This fits symbolically that smoking does somehow represent the acceptance and fitting in to society. Skeeter no longer fit in, not because she no longer smokes, but the two do coincide. Her quitting smoking just represents when she quit trying to fit in, and finally did what she wanted to do.
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