The Help (now the questions)

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The Help (now the questions)

by chippy

Jun 19, 2009

I figured we could do three at a time.

Who was your favorite character? Why?

I liked all of them. They all seem so authentic. I love Minny's spunkiness even though it gets her into trouble. It is such a hoot that one of her daughters is growing up to be just like her.

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 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...See More

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cjode 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.

> ...See MoreOn 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?

Jun 20, 2009

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