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.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Quote #8 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
Page 367 - 368
"I used to believe in [the lines]. I don't anymore. They in our heads. People like Miss Hilly is always trying to make us believe they there. But they ain't... Lines between black and white ain't there neither. Some folks just made those up, long time ago. And that go for the white trash and the society ladies too."
-Aibileen's thought's on the 'lines' separating society
Aibileen finally realizes the lines she learned never to cross when she was younger, aren't really there. They were created by upper class snobs who think they are too good for anybody who isn't like them. This explains why Miss Celia relates to Minny so easily. They are both outside the circle of society that has been deemed acceptable, therefore similar. Society puts lower class and black all on the same level beneath them. So this shows that no matter what color you are in the lower class, you relate to each other more than you would a rich white person. Its almost as if they are of their own race together. It reminds me of the Island of misfit toys. They are unwanted because they are not as nice as the other 'toys,'
but they find acceptance and friendship with each other.
The fact that Aibileen doesn't see the lines anymore shows that she is growing. I think this shows how she doesn't fear so much about the consequences of her actions anymore. But is her bravery a good thing or bad? On the good side, it means she's finally fighting for what she believes in. She won't take white people's abuse anymore. But on the bad side, it means she's in danger. If she's letting her guard down, she more likely to get caught.
This quote captures an epiphany that I think will occur to all help soon. Perhaps it can even foreshadow future attitudes that arise with other. Will this mean the lines separating society will soon be crossed, or will they be blurred by people who are sick of the past traditions and want to move forward also? I think it means the lines aren't as strong as they used to be, and there will be a change in the dynamics of society. It also leaves me in suspense for Aibileen's future well being. Is she going to do something stupid because she no longer sees the lines society has drawn? Will it cost her her jobs, and if it does what does that mean for the future of Mae Mobley? Will Aibileen teach Mae to believe in herself, and be a beautiful, kind person, or will she never get the chance?
Page 367 - 368
"I used to believe in [the lines]. I don't anymore. They in our heads. People like Miss Hilly is always trying to make us believe they there. But they ain't... Lines between black and white ain't there neither. Some folks just made those up, long time ago. And that go for the white trash and the society ladies too."
-Aibileen's thought's on the 'lines' separating society
Aibileen finally realizes the lines she learned never to cross when she was younger, aren't really there. They were created by upper class snobs who think they are too good for anybody who isn't like them. This explains why Miss Celia relates to Minny so easily. They are both outside the circle of society that has been deemed acceptable, therefore similar. Society puts lower class and black all on the same level beneath them. So this shows that no matter what color you are in the lower class, you relate to each other more than you would a rich white person. Its almost as if they are of their own race together. It reminds me of the Island of misfit toys. They are unwanted because they are not as nice as the other 'toys,'
but they find acceptance and friendship with each other.
The fact that Aibileen doesn't see the lines anymore shows that she is growing. I think this shows how she doesn't fear so much about the consequences of her actions anymore. But is her bravery a good thing or bad? On the good side, it means she's finally fighting for what she believes in. She won't take white people's abuse anymore. But on the bad side, it means she's in danger. If she's letting her guard down, she more likely to get caught.
This quote captures an epiphany that I think will occur to all help soon. Perhaps it can even foreshadow future attitudes that arise with other. Will this mean the lines separating society will soon be crossed, or will they be blurred by people who are sick of the past traditions and want to move forward also? I think it means the lines aren't as strong as they used to be, and there will be a change in the dynamics of society. It also leaves me in suspense for Aibileen's future well being. Is she going to do something stupid because she no longer sees the lines society has drawn? Will it cost her her jobs, and if it does what does that mean for the future of Mae Mobley? Will Aibileen teach Mae to believe in herself, and be a beautiful, kind person, or will she never get the chance?
Reading Response #10 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 27, 2011
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.
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>.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Reading Response #9 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 26, 2011
Pages 280 -323
Chapters 19 - 21
After Yule May, Hilly's maid, has been arrested for stealing and punished for longer than necessary, more maids have decided to speak up. This seems to happen like a domino effect in my mind. But why does Yule May's arrest not scare the other maids into indefinite silence? The reaction from the maids is unexpected, and I think this is because Stockett wanted to convey the closeness of the black community. They are like a family, and they defend their own. By risking their lives to try to help Yule May, it shows just how far they will go. I think this also shows why it's so important that they are opening up to Skeeter. If they are so tight knit, to open up to a white lady is clearly something not done. This shows how important it must be to them to tell their story. I wonder if this will lead to a future acceptance for Skeeter and a newfound trust the black community has for some members of the white community?
While interviewing maids, Miss Skeeter hears about some families who love their maids, and some who treat them bad. Some maids are treated with great care and some families can't care less about what happens to their help. Miss Skeeter is finally getting more diverse stories for her book. But I wonder what differs between the good families and the bad ones? Is it just that some people are nice and some people aren't? Or is it my theory on class and social standing in society affecting the way help is treated?
We also get a look into Skeeter's dad. While at a dinner with Skeeter's boyfriend's family, her dad expresses his deep care for his negro workers. He doesn't believe black people in society are being treated fairly. Maybe this is where Skeeter gets her compassionate side from. Skeeter's dad came from nothing and built his own cotton fortune, she that would fit my theory. He is kind toward blacks because he was raised in poorer conditions, where her mother was always raised in a home with family. This goes along with the relevance of class to racism.
I also found it ironic that Skeeter's boyfriend's house seems like "a shrine to the War Between the States," meaning the Civil War. What the war is greatly known for in the issue of slavery. So is this house a symbol of the part of society stuck in the past and unwilling to let go of slavery? Or is it's juxtaposition to point out the irony of Skeeter encouraging the rights of maids in a society determined to oppress them? Either way it's relevance in the novel seems to point out how difficult it will be for Skeeter to find people who will actually accept the novel as something positive. The house highlights how Jackson seems to be stuck in the past, and is resistant to change for the future, which is most likely an obstacle the maids and Skeeter will face.
Pages 280 -323
Chapters 19 - 21
After Yule May, Hilly's maid, has been arrested for stealing and punished for longer than necessary, more maids have decided to speak up. This seems to happen like a domino effect in my mind. But why does Yule May's arrest not scare the other maids into indefinite silence? The reaction from the maids is unexpected, and I think this is because Stockett wanted to convey the closeness of the black community. They are like a family, and they defend their own. By risking their lives to try to help Yule May, it shows just how far they will go. I think this also shows why it's so important that they are opening up to Skeeter. If they are so tight knit, to open up to a white lady is clearly something not done. This shows how important it must be to them to tell their story. I wonder if this will lead to a future acceptance for Skeeter and a newfound trust the black community has for some members of the white community?
While interviewing maids, Miss Skeeter hears about some families who love their maids, and some who treat them bad. Some maids are treated with great care and some families can't care less about what happens to their help. Miss Skeeter is finally getting more diverse stories for her book. But I wonder what differs between the good families and the bad ones? Is it just that some people are nice and some people aren't? Or is it my theory on class and social standing in society affecting the way help is treated?
We also get a look into Skeeter's dad. While at a dinner with Skeeter's boyfriend's family, her dad expresses his deep care for his negro workers. He doesn't believe black people in society are being treated fairly. Maybe this is where Skeeter gets her compassionate side from. Skeeter's dad came from nothing and built his own cotton fortune, she that would fit my theory. He is kind toward blacks because he was raised in poorer conditions, where her mother was always raised in a home with family. This goes along with the relevance of class to racism.
I also found it ironic that Skeeter's boyfriend's house seems like "a shrine to the War Between the States," meaning the Civil War. What the war is greatly known for in the issue of slavery. So is this house a symbol of the part of society stuck in the past and unwilling to let go of slavery? Or is it's juxtaposition to point out the irony of Skeeter encouraging the rights of maids in a society determined to oppress them? Either way it's relevance in the novel seems to point out how difficult it will be for Skeeter to find people who will actually accept the novel as something positive. The house highlights how Jackson seems to be stuck in the past, and is resistant to change for the future, which is most likely an obstacle the maids and Skeeter will face.
Quote #7 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 26, 2011
Page 304
"These things I know already, yet hearing them from colored mouths, it is as if I am hearing them for the first time."
-Skeeter's thoughts after hearing more maid's stories
More maids have decided to open up to Miss Skeeter. While listening to their stories, Miss Skeeter is looking at society through new eyes. They are telling her about rules and boundaries that have been set for them, and even though Miss Skeeter knows about all of them, she's never heard them from someone else's point of view. They are opening her eyes up to a side of the story she's never even thought of before. It's as if she's finally taken off her rose-colored glasses.
I think this quote shows why Miss Skeeter's book is so important, but also why the book The Help is important. Both are telling a story that's never been told before. They are significant because they are letting us see things trough new eyes. We all know about Martin Luther King Jr. and the fight for civil rights, but we only know it through the white people's prospective as written in history books and shown on news channels. I think this quote shows the importance of the book Skeeter and Stockett are writing and what we can learn from it. It's to show us the same story we know, but from other side we've never even considered to think about.
"Optimism New Eyes." Pursuing Meaningful Life. Web. 26 Jul 2011. <http://pursuingmeaningfullife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Optimism-New-Eyes-300x200.jpg>.
Page 304
"These things I know already, yet hearing them from colored mouths, it is as if I am hearing them for the first time."
-Skeeter's thoughts after hearing more maid's stories
More maids have decided to open up to Miss Skeeter. While listening to their stories, Miss Skeeter is looking at society through new eyes. They are telling her about rules and boundaries that have been set for them, and even though Miss Skeeter knows about all of them, she's never heard them from someone else's point of view. They are opening her eyes up to a side of the story she's never even thought of before. It's as if she's finally taken off her rose-colored glasses.
I think this quote shows why Miss Skeeter's book is so important, but also why the book The Help is important. Both are telling a story that's never been told before. They are significant because they are letting us see things trough new eyes. We all know about Martin Luther King Jr. and the fight for civil rights, but we only know it through the white people's prospective as written in history books and shown on news channels. I think this quote shows the importance of the book Skeeter and Stockett are writing and what we can learn from it. It's to show us the same story we know, but from other side we've never even considered to think about.
"Optimism New Eyes." Pursuing Meaningful Life. Web. 26 Jul 2011. <http://pursuingmeaningfullife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Optimism-New-Eyes-300x200.jpg>.
Quote #6 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 26, 2011
Pages 256
"But truth is, I don't care that much about voting. I don't care about eating at a couture with white people. What I care about is, if in ten years, a white lady will call my girls dirty and accuse them of stealing silver."
-Minny's reason for telling Miss Skeeter her story
Minny is not risking her life for her own pride, but for the future of her children. Like most others who participated in the civil rights movement, she wants a future society that will allow for her children to have equal rights as all others do. This reminds me of the Extra Credits video on strong female characters. Minny is a strong female, yes, but she is a caring mother and that's what makes her so important. Her motivation behind all of her actions is her children. The reason she puts up with crazy white people is to provide for her children. So the reason she wants change in their society is so when her girls have to work for white women one day, they won't be subjected to the same discrimination she is.
Minny has clearly stated she is not doing this for herself. This explains a lot of Minny's personality that may not have been clearly seen. Minny is self-less. She want nothing for herself. She dropped out of school to help make money to take care of her family with. She nursed her drunken father for 12 years before he died, even though she resented him every day. She put up with her husband's alcoholism and abuse, so her children have a father and a steady paycheck to take care of them. And now she is being self-less with Miss Celia, by letting Miss Celia take her time with telling Mister Johnny about Minny. This quote explains why Minny's action may not follow what she is thinking because she is actually a very caring person, which is not something you can tell from her hard demeanor.
Pages 256
"But truth is, I don't care that much about voting. I don't care about eating at a couture with white people. What I care about is, if in ten years, a white lady will call my girls dirty and accuse them of stealing silver."
-Minny's reason for telling Miss Skeeter her story
Minny is not risking her life for her own pride, but for the future of her children. Like most others who participated in the civil rights movement, she wants a future society that will allow for her children to have equal rights as all others do. This reminds me of the Extra Credits video on strong female characters. Minny is a strong female, yes, but she is a caring mother and that's what makes her so important. Her motivation behind all of her actions is her children. The reason she puts up with crazy white people is to provide for her children. So the reason she wants change in their society is so when her girls have to work for white women one day, they won't be subjected to the same discrimination she is.
Minny has clearly stated she is not doing this for herself. This explains a lot of Minny's personality that may not have been clearly seen. Minny is self-less. She want nothing for herself. She dropped out of school to help make money to take care of her family with. She nursed her drunken father for 12 years before he died, even though she resented him every day. She put up with her husband's alcoholism and abuse, so her children have a father and a steady paycheck to take care of them. And now she is being self-less with Miss Celia, by letting Miss Celia take her time with telling Mister Johnny about Minny. This quote explains why Minny's action may not follow what she is thinking because she is actually a very caring person, which is not something you can tell from her hard demeanor.
Reading Response #8 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
July 26, 2011
Pages 249 - 279
Chapters 17 - 18
Minny's tolerance with Miss Celia's strange behavior finally come to it's boiling point during these chapters. At first Minny think Miss Celia is an alcoholic, which hurts her worse than anything. Minny sees Miss Celia as just another person who has disappointed her by turning to alcohol, like her father and husband. The fact that Miss Celia seems to be on the same level as Minny's father and husband shows that Minny really does care for Miss Celia.
It is then learned that Miss Celia isn't an alcoholic, but a pregnant woman who has had 3 pervious miscarriages. Minny learns this when Miss Celia experiences her 4th miscarriage. It explains why Miss Celia is so lazy, she's afraid if she moves too much, she'll lose the baby. After losing the baby, Miss Celia breaks down wondering why a child wouldn't want her as a mother. I see this as not only pain from the miscarriage, but pain rom being rejected from society. Miss Celia feels as if no one wants her, not as a friend, or a mother. Maybe Minny's job is to show her that people do care about her and want her in their life, and that's the significance of Minny's role to Miss Celia.
Minny wonders "how [Miss Celia got] this far in life without knowing where lines are drawn." Basically she doesn't understand how Miss Celia is where she is, when she doesn't seem to understand the basic rules in society, like you can't eat at the same table with the black help. I wonder if this shows the relevance of class to racism people are exposed to. Miss Celia is from a very poor part of Mississippi and I wonder if there, racism isn't that big of an issue. When you're so poor that you struggle just to eat everyday, who you're eating beside can seem like a trivial issue. Maybe the bigger the class, the more entitled you feel to mandatory segregation. That would explain why Miss Celia doesn't care what Minny does, but Miss Hilly is uptight about where her help puts their food. Miss Skeeter would be the only exception to this logic, but I think that's because she never fit into her society and always felt like an outcast, therefore related to the help better than she did her mother.
Pages 249 - 279
Chapters 17 - 18
Minny's tolerance with Miss Celia's strange behavior finally come to it's boiling point during these chapters. At first Minny think Miss Celia is an alcoholic, which hurts her worse than anything. Minny sees Miss Celia as just another person who has disappointed her by turning to alcohol, like her father and husband. The fact that Miss Celia seems to be on the same level as Minny's father and husband shows that Minny really does care for Miss Celia.
It is then learned that Miss Celia isn't an alcoholic, but a pregnant woman who has had 3 pervious miscarriages. Minny learns this when Miss Celia experiences her 4th miscarriage. It explains why Miss Celia is so lazy, she's afraid if she moves too much, she'll lose the baby. After losing the baby, Miss Celia breaks down wondering why a child wouldn't want her as a mother. I see this as not only pain from the miscarriage, but pain rom being rejected from society. Miss Celia feels as if no one wants her, not as a friend, or a mother. Maybe Minny's job is to show her that people do care about her and want her in their life, and that's the significance of Minny's role to Miss Celia.
Minny wonders "how [Miss Celia got] this far in life without knowing where lines are drawn." Basically she doesn't understand how Miss Celia is where she is, when she doesn't seem to understand the basic rules in society, like you can't eat at the same table with the black help. I wonder if this shows the relevance of class to racism people are exposed to. Miss Celia is from a very poor part of Mississippi and I wonder if there, racism isn't that big of an issue. When you're so poor that you struggle just to eat everyday, who you're eating beside can seem like a trivial issue. Maybe the bigger the class, the more entitled you feel to mandatory segregation. That would explain why Miss Celia doesn't care what Minny does, but Miss Hilly is uptight about where her help puts their food. Miss Skeeter would be the only exception to this logic, but I think that's because she never fit into her society and always felt like an outcast, therefore related to the help better than she did her mother.
"e73dabd73430f48." My Short Luteal Phase. Web. 26 Jul 2011. <http://www.myshortlutealphase.com/wp-content/uploads/e73dabd73430f48.jpg>.
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