Reading Response #11 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

July 27, 2011

Pages 354 - 391

Chapters 24 - 25

A serious topic arises during these chapters. Minny has spoken before about her husband hitting her when he was drunk, but now it appears as if he is hitting her while he is sober too. Miss Celia notices he cuts and questions her. During there conversation a nude man appears outside of Miss Celia's house. Minny goes outside to get him to leave and he attacks her, punching her in the head while making several sexual comments. Miss Celia ends up beating him with a fire poker, and saving Minny's life. Not only does this situation focus on violence toward women, but also that a white woman risked her life for a black woman.

Firstly violence toward women was something not entirely uncommon during this time. Women were trying to fight for more rights to control their own body as well as protection against physical abuse. Now days, man or woman, if you hit them, you're going to jail. I think this event highlights the low importance placed on women by society for violence toward women to be tolerated.

Next is the fact that Miss Celia saved Minny. The stories shared by the other maids have shown me that white families have cared for their help, but never to the extent where they would risk their own life for them. I think this really shows what kind of character Miss Celia has. She does have a childlike innocence about her, but I think that is only to allow her to be blind by the colors of the world so she can befriend Minny. Just like she came from poverty, so she is considered an outsider by society, so she can relate to Minny. All of these things help to shape Celia's nurturing personality and open friendship she has. I find ironic that these condition are seen as trashy and cheap by society, but they have helped to make Miss Celia a better person.

Another reason why Miss Celia may be seen as an outcast is because of her sex appeal. She is described as having too big breast in too small clothing, with fake blonde hair. I picture her as a Marilyn Monroe/ Pamela Anderson/ Anna Nicole Smith type person. In today's society, that pretty much describes every girl in the Playboy Mansion, but during the 60's showing too much skin was scandalous. Her sex appeal make women mark her as whorish, and men thanking God for putting her on this earth. That makes her seen as a leper for everyone to avoid, which is what happened when she attended the children's benefit, hosted by Miss Hilly's society. It was clear that her looks made people stay away from her. I think that once again shows how much physical appearance plays a party of acceptance into society, and how it doesn't so much matter what is on the inside. It is kind of an anti-theme.

 Now about the women in the book: if Miss Skeeter is a symbol for women's working rights, and Aibileen and Minny a symbol for African American rights, then I would say Miss Celia is a symbol for women's body rights.