Pages 324 - 353
Chapters 21 - 23
The climax of the book has finally been reached. Miss Skeeter spoke her mind to Hilly and is now being black listed from society. Although this doesn't seem to bother Miss Skeeter, it always hurts to be rejected. I've also noticed Miss Skeeter talks about smoking a lot. She smokes often, as do most women in society. I can't help but wonder if smoking is a symbol for fitting in to society. When Miss Skeeter smokes, she is like the others, but when she quits she will be different. She has mention several times her desire to quit so I wonder if it symbolizes she desires to break out of her circle of friends, and be different where others can see. That could be why she is not so upset about being exiled from her friends.
Aibileen has been focusing on telling Mae Mobley stories that deal with the all important theme, it's what's on the inside that counts. She tells her stories of white and black children playing together, and wrapping up candy in brown and white bags, teaching Mae it doesn't matter what the outside looks like. While she's doing it to just teach Mae Mobley that blacks are no different from her, I see it developing to be the theme. What all the maids are trying to do with Miss Skeeter is to write something that shows the world it is what is on the inside that counts, not the color on the outside. That is what I see the theme of the novel as.
"10June." How to Stop Smoking Help. Web. 27 Jul 2011. <http://www.howtostopsmokinghelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/10JUNE.jpg>.
Good discussion of symbolism and treatment of the symbol there. Also, well done on addressing perhaps THE theme of the text.
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