The Help
The Help, which was originally written in 2009 by Kathryn Stockett and then released as a film in 2011 is an extraordinary example of courage, dignity, and self respect. In a time during racial injustice, segregation and oppression; three courageous characters break an ancestor cycle providing a new outlook of respect and dignity. I selected this film to review because I felt it truly displayed character, dignity, and self respect. This movie displayed the hardships of racial issues and the courageous acts of standing up for a population without a voice. There were many characters in this movie that had a sense of dignity and self respect. However, Skeeter and Minny were the two characters that stood out the most that could be compare to Epictetus and Aristotle.
Skeeter, in my opinion compares to Epictetus philosophy. Epictetus ethical teaching focuses on changing things about ourselves because we are unable to change things outside our own selves. Epictetus tells us that regardless of circumstances, human beings are capable of dignity and self control (Epictetus, 2010). Skeeter is a young white college graduate who is looking for an opportunity to be a real journalist. Returning to her home town, Skeeter is reunited with her group of grade school friends and quickly realizes the wrong doings that is occurring with the help inside her society. Skeeter’s own dignity and self respect would not allow herself to view or treat the help as her friends and family; as Skeeter held a special bond with the women, who help raise or did raise her.
After landing a job writing in the column about cleaning tips in her city Jackson Mississippi; Skeeter decided she wanted to get the point of view from the Help. At this point Skeeter decided not to be like the world around her and since she was not able to change the way her friends and family handle the help; she would make changes within herself. These changes would happen by secretly writing a book with the
Skeeter, in my opinion compares to Epictetus philosophy. Epictetus ethical teaching focuses on changing things about ourselves because we are unable to change things outside our own selves. Epictetus tells us that regardless of circumstances, human beings are capable of dignity and self control (Epictetus, 2010). Skeeter is a young white college graduate who is looking for an opportunity to be a real journalist. Returning to her home town, Skeeter is reunited with her group of grade school friends and quickly realizes the wrong doings that is occurring with the help inside her society. Skeeter’s own dignity and self respect would not allow herself to view or treat the help as her friends and family; as Skeeter held a special bond with the women, who help raise or did raise her.
After landing a job writing in the column about cleaning tips in her city Jackson Mississippi; Skeeter decided she wanted to get the point of view from the Help. At this point Skeeter decided not to be like the world around her and since she was not able to change the way her friends and family handle the help; she would make changes within herself. These changes would happen by secretly writing a book with the
References: Aristotle. (2010). Happiness and the Virtues. In J. Kozyrev (Ed.), Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life. Clark Baxter. Sommers, C., Sommers, F., (2010) Vice & Virtue In Everyday Life, Introductory Readings in Ethics Eighth Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Belmont.