readHERs discussion
Week 2 Reactions {Chp 7-13}
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I'm really enjoying my reading. I've recommended this book to 3 people already. I tried to slow my reading, so I'm now in chapter 20.-I, too, like how Skeeter is becoming self-aware. As she's been working with the maids, she's learning more about her views on life and her views of herself (Shannon I geeked over you using "dynamic character" because I teach that term to my students). I have to have a lot of patience for Skeeter, though. She has lived in a bubble for so long and this becomes evident when she talks to Elaine Stein. Stein is basically like do you seriously believe, with everything that's going on in Mississippi, you're going to get black maids to talk to you? And Skeeter says, "The inteviews would be conducted secretly. Since you know things are a little dangerous around here." Dangerous was quite the understatement and that's why Stein laughed. And I laughed at the word "secret." Skeeter has no idea of what would happen to those women if what they're doing was discovered. That's the kind of ignorance that gets people killed.
-One line that resonates with me is on page 100. It's when Aibileen is talking to Skeeter about her son's book idea and she asks Skeeter not tell. Skeeter thinks, "Even though he's dead, the instinct to be afraid for her son is still there." This just makes me think about how dangerous those times were. You still weren't safe even in the grave!
-One question I have is do little girls who grow up loving their maids end up hating them to gain affection from their mothers? I ask because Aibileen talks about this at least 2 times. Right now Mae Mobley's dying for affection from her mom. It's obvious Mae loves her even though Elizabeth has nothing to do with her. When Mae gets older, would she purposefully shun Aibileen so that she and her mother could have something in common?
-One more thing--another favorite line pg 176--This is Minny talking, "I guess that's when I understood what shame was and the color of it too. Shame ain't black, like dirt, like I always thought it was. Shame be the color of a new white uniform your mother ironed all night to pay for, white without a smudge or a speck of work-dirt on it."
I am really enjoying seeing all of the characters develop a little more. I can't wait to finish this book!-Aibileen is still my favorite character. Little girls will grow away from their wonderful maids (like Aibileen) because at some point that's what they are taught to do. While they may love them in their hearts (just as Skeeter does Constantine), they will eventually treat their maids just as society does. But that doesn't deter Aibileen from being a motherly influence in their lives. And that's the beauty of who she is. I also love seeing Aibileen growing stronger. I believe with each story she writes, she gains a little bit of herself back.
-I also like how Skeeter is becoming more aware of herself and others. She's really starting to see life as it really is and the change is happening to her first.
-I also like seeing Minny reserved and cautious for a change while meeting with Skeeter and Aibileen. Minny has been known for being outspoken and Aibileen more reserved. Minny's caution further highlights how "dangerous" the situation really is.
-Guys, I, like Shannon, could not stop reading! -But I remembered thinking in this section that Skeeter has got to be more careful than she is!
-I share the same sentiments as all of you about the characters-- love all of the main ones expect Hilly, who makes me sick.
-I also feel really happy that Skeeter is actually experiencing love for the first time (regardless of if it works out or not).
-How many believe that Skeeter's mama is sicker than she let's on? Stomach ulcers? I find that hard to believe. Wonder if it's cancer....
I am loving this book. I like Skeeter and the growing relationship with Aibeleen. She reminds her of Constantine and I think Skeeter is the child that would not have grown up to love her mother more than her maid.
I definitely had the feeling that Skeeter's mom is sicker than she is letting on... and I wonder how that secret and the secret of what really happened to Constantine will come out.
Back to reading... literally. :)
I'm enjoying the book and like others I'm interested to see how the story plays out. - Skeeter/ Stuart - I agree it's an interesting relationship. Are his intentions genuine? I'm curious to see how things end up with them.
- Hilly - definitely my least favorite character. I don't see how any one likes her and why Skeeter even tolerates her.
- Skeeter - I agree she's very naive but it's still refreshing to see someone during that time period who is willing to step out of the norm and have her own opinion about things.
- Miss Celia - She has a very different type of relationship with Minny than most whites would typically have with their maids. Again, this is nice to see someone step outside of the norm. I really enjoy the relationship that they have. I do feel sorry for her as she has no friends. So would she still be this way with Minny if she had friends?
Heather has reminded me that I like Celia as well. It's obvious that she wants to be Minny's friend. It very well maybe because she's had it so hard with the local ladies; however, I think her upbringing in a poor town and neighborhood has impacted her view on minorities as well...since she underpriveleged--like minorities--being so poor.
I just read an article on The Help in the August edition of Essence. Interestingly enough the real Aibileen, Ablene Cooper, who actually worked for the Stockett family, is suing Kathryn Stockett. She claims her name was used without her permission and that she found many of the descriptions and accounts of her life offensive and embarrassing. Who knew?
Mod
I just learned of Ablene's lawsuit the other day as well. In trying to refresh my memory of the book, I've discovered that while Stockett received a lot of praise for the book, she's certainly received her share of criticism as well...entire blogs are dedicated to "debunking" this book.
- Skeeter is still one of my favorite characters and I really like how she speaks to the things I'm thinking about her. When she offers Aibeleen the money, she knows its not genuine and we get a chance to see how she recognizes some of her flaws immediately. I think I like her because she seems like the character who is going to change the most by the end of the book. I'm always attracted to dynamic characters who have many sides and who are changed by situations they encounter.
- The whole Skeeter/Stuart relationship seems just a little bit fishy. I don't see how that would work out at all.
- I'm glad Aibeleen finally agreed to help. She is definitely another one of my favs because she is more wise. She carefully thinks out things before she acts, and her spirit is so pure.
- One of my favorite lines in the book has been when Skeeter's mom asked her what she was doing and she said "Just typing up some notes from the Bible Study. Just writing down all the things I love about Jesus." Hope her mom doesn't catch her... she kind of reminds me of an older Hilly.
- I can't stand Hilly. lol. But she represents a great antagonist in this book. She is a complete symbol of Mississippi and it's past. Her sanitation initiative is ridiculous.