My Thoughts on The Help

I have to be honest...I finished this book like 3 weeks ago. I loved it. There are so many reasons why it kept my attention and had me hooked. I really felt like I could relate to so many characters in this book. So here is my run down:

The beginning of the book really grabbed me because I lived in Jackson, MS for 2 years. Well, technically I lived in Madison (which is where Miss Celia lives), but I worked in Jackson. I had friends that lived in Jackson. I liked that I was able to picture the neighborhoods and streets she was talking about. Of course, she was describing them as they were 40 years before I lived there, but I felt like I was there. I love that she was so specific about the streets and the names and the neighborhoods.

What I really enjoyed most was her characterization of people. Of course I loved Miss Skeeter. She is everything I would have wanted to be if I had lived in the civil rights era. The idealist in me wishes I could find a cause that would make a difference. I think the best part about her though really is her innocence. I don't think she had any idea when she started her project what she was doing. I love when she talks about how hard it is to hear them mention comments she has made that she never thought would offend people. It makes me think of how often we do this to people in our own lives.

Although my intentions would be to be like Skeeter, I know that really I would be hard headed like Minny. She is superwoman on the outside, but she is still human. She still worries that she won't have a job next week, but she sticks up for herself.

I think there is even a little bit of Hilly in all of us. This book really did make me think about how much we are like this Junior League even now. While it might not be as formal as this, there is always an agenda. You always want to be liked. You always want the approval of your peers. That is just human. I think that especially since I got married, I feel a need to be seen as a contributing member of society, a good wife, and be accepted by those around me, especially my friends. I don't want to fall behind or get left behind. Throughout the book there is an inner struggle in Miss Skeeter. She wants to write the book for her career and her new found relationships with the women she is meeting with, but she is always wanting to be with her friends and have their acceptance as well.

I have been thinking about the protagonist/antagonist of this book. What I have decided is that it is not just one person, but that the ideas and ideals that take these positions. There is obviously two very distinct ideas in this book. One deals with loving all people and the other deals with only loving yourself. It is obvious in the end which one will win (if you can't already guess). I do think that each character in the book represents a specific identity or personality trait. I can't end without talking about Aibileen. She represents love. Love for others and self respect enough to love herself. In the end, she is really the kind of woman that we should all strive to be: brave, strong, self respecting, loving, nurturing, hard working.

I loved this book! I am glad that we chose it for the first one!

PS I have a suggestion for our next book. I have heard that the book One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, is really good. Check it out and let me know what you guys think!