The Help - Strong and Independent Women
Set in the early 1960’s in Jackson, Mississippi, ‘The Help’ is about a strong and independent woman while racism is at an all-time high. The film follows the story of Skeeter, a young, white girl, who wishes to write a book about the hardships and racism felt by the black maids working for the white families. Aibileen and Minny, two black maids, share their tales and experiences to help Skeeter fulfil her dream.
Skeeter is shown as strong and independent woman in the film. Skeeter spends four years at university completing her degree while her other friends have already dropped out of school. Skeeter, who is now a journalist, sets on to writing a book about the experiences of the black maids serving the white families in Jackson. Knowing that publically sympathising with or helping any black was against the law Skeeter is still determined to write the book because she feels so strongly about it. It is evident in the film that this was a very uncommon and dangerous decision to make at the time as racism was at its highest. This shows that Skeeter is an independent woman as she questions the restrictions placed upon her by society’s traditions. I think that the fact that Skeeter realises the cruelty faced by the blacks and her will to bring some change shows how independent and rebellious she is because most of the women in the society come across the injustices on a daily basis but are hardly moved by it. They blindly follow the traditions and find themselves happy and satisfied.
Skeeter is also strong-willed because she does not let these restrictions discourage her enough to lose hope. She realises that her friends and family would oppose her decisions but she does not let these emotions stop her. I think that her strong-will is driven from her love that she has for her own maid Constantine who was fired because of hurting Skeeter’s mother’s pride. Skeeter does not think of this as a fair decision and it further motivates her into fulfilling her dream.
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Skeeter is shown as strong and independent woman in the film. Skeeter spends four years at university completing her degree while her other friends have already dropped out of school. Skeeter, who is now a journalist, sets on to writing a book about the experiences of the black maids serving the white families in Jackson. Knowing that publically sympathising with or helping any black was against the law Skeeter is still determined to write the book because she feels so strongly about it. It is evident in the film that this was a very uncommon and dangerous decision to make at the time as racism was at its highest. This shows that Skeeter is an independent woman as she questions the restrictions placed upon her by society’s traditions. I think that the fact that Skeeter realises the cruelty faced by the blacks and her will to bring some change shows how independent and rebellious she is because most of the women in the society come across the injustices on a daily basis but are hardly moved by it. They blindly follow the traditions and find themselves happy and satisfied.
Skeeter is also strong-willed because she does not let these restrictions discourage her enough to lose hope. She realises that her friends and family would oppose her decisions but she does not let these emotions stop her. I think that her strong-will is driven from her love that she has for her own maid Constantine who was fired because of hurting Skeeter’s mother’s pride. Skeeter does not think of this as a fair decision and it further motivates her into fulfilling her dream.
Not