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>.