“The Help” is a novel by Kathryn Stockett about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. The novel explores the themes of race, class, and gender.
The novel was published in 2009 and became a bestseller. It has been made into a movie starring Viola Davis and Emma Stone.
The novel has been praised for its exploration of the experience of African American women during this time period. It has also been criticized for its portrayal of African Americans.
Whether you love or hate “The Help”, there’s no denying that it’s an important book that sheds light on an important time in history.
The novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett explores the notion of one’s pursuit of happiness, as well as what makes someone genuinely happy. Stockett depicts this concept in three ways in the book. Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen’s strong connection is first and foremost a source of great joy for them.
Secondly, Stockett also looks at the idea that sometimes one has to do what is right, even if it means going against what others believe in order to be happy. Lastly, the novel also explores the race relations during that time and how it was hard for African Americans to find happiness.
The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. The novel focuses on the lives of African American maids who work in white households and their relationships with their white employers. The story is told from the perspective of three different women: Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter.
Aibileen is an African American maid who has worked for many years as a domestic servant. She is a wise woman who is able to see the good in people, even when they are at their worst. Minny is another African American maid who is Aibileen’s friend. She is a sassy woman who speaks her mind, even when it gets her into trouble. Skeeter is a white woman who has recently graduated from college and is looking for a job. She is an ambitious woman who wants to write a book that will help improve the lives of African American maids.
The novel explores the theme of happiness through the relationship between Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen. Skeeter is unhappy with her life and feels like she does not fit in with the other women in Jackson. She meets Aibileen and Minny, who help her to see the good in people and to find her own happiness. Minny is also unhappy with her life, but she is able to find happiness through her friendship with Aibileen and Skeeter. Aibileen is content with her life, but she finds true happiness when she helps Skeeter write her book.
The novel also explores the theme of doing what is right, even if it means going against what others believe in order to be happy. Aibileen is hesitant to help Skeeter write her book because she knows that it could get her into trouble. However, she decides to help Skeeter because she believes that it is the right thing to do. Minny is also reluctant to help Skeeter, but she decides to do it because she knows that it will help improve the lives of African American maids.
The Help also explores the race relations during that time and how it was hard for African Americans to find happiness. Aibileen and Minny are constantly being treated unfairly because of their race. They are not able to get the same opportunities as white people, and they are always at risk of getting fired or arrested. However, they are still able to find happiness in their friendships and in helping Skeeter write her book.
In addition, Stockett depicts Celia’s quest for happiness, thus revealing what qualities contribute to genuine joy. Finally, the contrast in ‘two societies’ we observe in Jackson, Mississippi is used by the author to highlight elements of enjoyment.
In this novel, Stockett writes about race in America during the Civil Rights movement from the perspective of African Americans who are domestic servants. Through her characters, she portrays the struggles that they faced on a daily basis because of the colour of their skin.
One such character is Aibileen Clark, who is an African American maid. Aibileen has worked for many white families and has raised seventeen children, including her own son. Throughout the novel, Aibileen speaks about the importance of happiness and how one should pursue it relentlessly. For example, she says “You can’t quit on yourself. You just got to find something that makes you happy” (Stockett 215). This quote shows that Aibileen believes that everyone deserves to be happy and that it is important to find what makes you happy in life.
Aibileen’s pursuit of happiness is also evident when she talks about her own son, Treelore. Treelore died tragically at work, and Aibileen was left to raise her grandson by herself. Despite this hardship, Aibileen still tries to find joy in her life. For instance, she takes pride in her work as a maid and enjoys spending time with the children she looks after. Additionally, Aibileen has a close relationship with her best friend Minny Jackson, who is also an African American maid. Together, they provide support for each other during difficult times.
Another character that Stockett writes about is Miss Celia Foote. Miss Celia is a white woman who is married to a man who mistreats her. She is also pregnant with her second child, and she is not sure if she can handle another baby. Despite all of these challenges, Miss Celia is determined to be happy.
Miss Celia’s pursuit of happiness is evident when she stands up to her husband after he tries to force her to have an abortion. Miss Celia refuses to have an abortion, and she tells her husband that she will leave him if he tries to make her go through with it. Additionally, Miss Celia decides to hire an African American maid named Minny Jackson, even though her husband does not approve.
The contrast between the two societies that Miss Celia and Aibileen live in is also significant. Miss Celia lives in a society where she is not judged by the colour of her skin, but rather by her social status. On the other hand, Aibileen lives in a society where she is judged by the colour of her skin.
This contrast is evident when Miss Celia invites Aibileen to have lunch with her, and Aibileen is hesitant to accept because she does not want to be seen in a white neighbourhood. However, Miss Celia assures Aibileen that she will not be judged because of the colour of her skin.
In conclusion, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett is a novel that highlights the pursuit of happiness, despite the challenges that one may face. Through her characters, Stockett shows that happiness comes from within and that it is important to find what makes you happy in life. Additionally, the contrast between the two societies highlights the importance of equal treatment for all.