It’s hard to remember a time when people were not treated differently in our society because of their race or social status. The Help tries to separate blacks and whites in any way it can, which was very similar to what happened in 1962 in Jackson. The bathrooms are separated, they both live on the opposite side of town. The Help tells the story of three ordinary women. Aibileen is a black maid, Minny is a white woman who has recently returned from college, and Skeeter is a socialite. The women decide to collaborate on a novel about the life of a black housemaid in Jackson. These women are telling their stories to a society who has refused to listen to them for a long time. Kathryn Stockett’s captivating and comically touching tale conveys an impacting message about race, gender, social class and how we treat people, regardless of our attempts to change it.
In our time, racism has been a common occurrence and is unfortunately still present today. The story contains many examples. Skeeter finds out the truth of Constantine’s sudden and mysterious disappearance at the very end. “I pulled Lulabelle to the kitchen. And I told her that she couldn’t be here. She looked at me with haughty eyes. She asked, “What do you mean that we can’t be colored Negroes if they don’t clean up?” Constantine enters the kitchen. She is as stunned as I am. Lulabelle will not leave. Says that I treated the girl well when I thought of her as white. Constantine tells me, “I told you to take your daughter away from my house now. Charlotte’s reaction shows that there aren’t many differences between blacks and whites. She thought that Lulabelle looked like any other lady in the house. She finds out that she’s Constantine’s black daughter. Charlotte’s attitude toward Lulabelle changes immediately and she kicks her from her home. Hilly, who suspected Aibileen’s involvement in Skeeter’s novel, was another instance of racism. Hilly was upset by the stories in this book about Aibileen, so she forced Elizabeth to fire her. She made up an unfounded story about Aibileen stealing silver. “But still, she will not look at you and I do not know what to say. I’m not sure how bad the situation is yet. Aibileen, this may not be about silver. I’ll call the police. Hilly could still fire Aibileen, even though there was no proof. Aibileen’s race and inability to speak back gave her the right. This novel is not only about racism.
It was important to be a woman in those days. Women were expected to meet certain standards. Skeeter is turned down for a job by the male boss of the local paper. “‘I presume that you know …’. The boss looks at my articles with red marks. My face turns red and hot. ‘Clean? I’m a writer, not a cleaner. I’m writing… I suppose you can do. Miss Myrna went a little crazy with us. Maybe she was drunk, or used hair spray. Nobody will be able to tell the difference between .’… and the way you write your answers. She gets the worst job in the company and is likely to be paid less than her male colleagues. Skeeter also has to behave in a way that is completely different from her own to be hired. Skeeter is living in an era where Southern culture, which is sexist, expects women of color to stay at home and get married as soon as they can, while men have the freedom to pursue their passions. “My daughter has been in college for four years. What does she bring home? She asks. Mother answers, “A diploma?” ‘A pretty paper’. “I told ya. I had not met anyone that I would marry. Mother will never know that I am a writer. She will make it just another thing that makes me different from married women”. Skeeter doesn’t seem like the perfect woman. Skeeter’s undesirable characteristics are what makes her difficult to date. Skeeter, Skeeter’s friend, as well as Charlotte, Skeeter’s mom, try to force their ideals on Skeeter. Skeeter gets pushed around by her friends and mother. You are also treated differently based on your social status in this small town.
In this city, social standing is very important. Hilly Holbrook, who is rich and “well-bred”, is the most important person in the town. Elizabeth is especially fond of her, because she’s trying to fit into the Jackson league. Miss Leefolt took a deep breathe and stared at Miss Hilly. She looked as though she was surprised. Aibileen has done nothing wrong. MIss Hilly accuses her of theft and tells MIss Leefolt that she must fire Aibileen. Miss Leefolt is not willing to offend Hilly, so she agrees to order Aibileen from the house. Celia Foote has the opposite social status to Hilly and Elizabeth. She was raised in Sugar Ditch – the lowest part of Mississippi – married a rich husband, and now wants to join Jackson League. Hilly does not like her because her ex-boyfriend married her. “‘Not too bad, we’re not. “Celia, I told her that you must be a League sustainer member to participate. Open rush?’ “Aren’t non-members allowed this year?” Miss Skeeter questions, “Given that the Benefit has become so large?” ‘Well, yeah,’ said Hilly. But I was not going to tell Jonny that. The league looks down on her and denies her any chance of fitting in. This novel shows how social interaction is affected by class.
The Help’s core is a study of how race and gender have an impact on the behavior people show towards one another, regardless of whether they acknowledge it. Racism was a major factor in the social fabric of Jackson, Mississippi during 1960s. The novel centers on white housewives who justify their emotional and physical abuse towards black maids with the belief that blacks are fundamentally unlike whites. Stockett was also keen to illustrate the various difficulties that women faced, like Skeeter’s struggle to get a writing job and her inability to find a man because she did not fit the gender stereotype. In The Help, Hilly and Celia Foote show the opposing sides in Jackson’s social hierarchy. The society has tried to eradicate these discriminations and succeeded in doing so, but they are still present in the world.
