On 6/19/09, chippy wrote:
> I figured we could do three at a time.
>
> Who was your favorite character? Why?

I liked Aibileen the best. She was so smart and so loyal. Her
stories to Mae Mobley were wonderful. She was a good friend to
everyone, kind. I also liked that others came to her for her
special prayer power.

> What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is
> terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to
> Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet
> she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a
> good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
>

Hilly did confuse me. I think a lot of her motivation came
from being a wife of a political hopeful. There may be a lot
of behind closed doors stressors we don't see when women are in
this spotlight. Also, being dumped by Johnny was a major event
in her life. I wonder if she softened a little after Celia
told her that Johnny had already broken up with her before he
and Celia were together? I am not sure she could be a good
mother if she had that much stress. Maybe I should re read in
between the lines in Hilly's relationship and interactions with
her mom. Often, we parent as we were parented.

> Hilly is so interesting. She apparently has some deep
> insecurities to make her so mean and controlling to almost
> everyone she has contact with. I think her being a good
> mother shows us her soft side. And the fact that she was
> rejected by Celia's husband has probably affected her
> deeply too.
>
>
> Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone
> deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care
> for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings
> for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine
> is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is
> critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or
> unsympathetic character? Why?

Skeeter's mom is unsympathetic, in my opinion. She is
constantly critical of her daughter, always praising her son,
does not allow the family in on what is happening with her
health, and to lose Constantine........ahhhh. Had I been
Skeeter, I would have lived there about a month after
graduation and then found SOMEWHERE else! But....that would
have been a different book!

>
> As we discussed earlier I think she is the most confusing
> for me. She seems determined like many mothers of the day
> for Skeeter to get married and always dress and look
> appropriately, and then decides Stuart doesn't appreciate
> her enough. That part was very confusing and seemed so out
> of character for her.
>
> Your thoughts?

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