The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Abstract

The novel is set in 1962 during the nascent Civil Rights Movement in Jackson, Mississippi. Stockett invents three narrators who weave a story collectively focused on women. Skeeter is a young white woman who is deeply rooted in Jackson society and aspires to be a writer. Aibileen, is a domestic help who works in the house of Skeeter’s friends and Minny, Aibileen’s friend is an outspoken maid. There are two black narrators which Stockett uses but the lives of black people remain to be marginalised. This novel which became a featured film shows how white women must accept their participation in the indignity of segregation. Aibileen and Minny defy the notion that both black and white women are ignorant about each other’s lives. In fact, black women know the lives of white women quite well and the lessons were taught to them by their own mothers.

Keywords

• american
• race
• novel