The Help Discussion

[Ariana]

I hope everyone enjoyed this month's book. I found some discussion questions online and I thought they may help us get started and generate some deep conversation about the book. Feel free to answer all, some or none of the questions or even make up your own! Go!

Which characters did you find most likable and sympathetic?

To what extent do you think a person's flaws, such as racist attitudes and behaviors, can be forgiven because it is the norm in the surrounding culture?

Could you sympathize with Miss Hilly? Do you think it is possible to be a good mother despite deep character flaws?

What motivated Aibileen?

What did you think about Minny's revenge?

How much do you think the dynamics of relationships between black people and white people have changed?

[April]

Hey girls! I enjoyed The Help, I found it really thought provoking and inspiring, yet at the same time sad. I guess being of the generation that I am, I find it so hard to believe that only 50 years ago this is the way people actually felt/acted.


Which characters did you find most likable and sympathetic?
-My favorite character was either Skeeter (for her inability to be a sheep) or Miss Celia (for the sheer ridiculousness of her antics) or maybe even Minny (for realizing things didnt have to always be the way they were, and finally being empowered to change her own home situation).

[Jessie]

Which characters did you find most likable and sympathetic?
I think Miss Celia is the most likeable, she was so nice, and only wanted a friend. Even though she was "white Trash" she had a lot more class than the others. I think Skeeter is the most sympathetic character for obvious reason.

To what extent do you think a person's flaws, such as racist attitudes and behaviors, can be forgiven because it is the norm in the surrounding culture?

This is a case of "if we know then what we know now" thinking, meaning that you have to forgive people if they do not know any better. The true character flaw that cannot be forgiven is once change starts to happen and they start to know better and still do not change, then it becomes harder to forgive.

Could you sympathize with Miss Hilly? Do you think it is possible to be a good mother despite deep character flaws?
Yes I do sympathize with Miss Hilly to a certain point, because for the longest time she did not know any better. During the latter half of the book, when she can see that not everyone thinks likes she does, and tries to punish them and their maids for it, then it becomes harder to sympathize with her. I do believe that Miss Hilly is a good mom, she truly loves her children.

What motivated Aibileen?
I think Aibileen is motivated by her son, Mae Mo, and Minny.

What did you think about Minny's revenge?
Ick, but funny. It is a very literal way to get her point across.

[April]

Jessie, I completely agree with you that Mae Mobley was a source of inspiration and motivation for Aibileen. She truly did not want to see the innocent and loving children that she (mostly) raised, grow up to have the same opinions of their closed-minded parents.

Aibileen herself said that as soon as she could see the change in a child's thinking and view of the world that was like a parent's, then she would leave and look for a new job.

[Jessie]

I really liked Mae Mobley's character. I think she was a symbol for innocents in the book. Stating that racism is taught, but so is understanding. I love the stories and the games that she ends up playing. I think she will not turn out like her mother and father.