THE HELP

Nadia Hancharevich, Naomi Stancu and Olaya Martín

Institut Mediterrània

Sílvia Pérez

27/03/2023
INDEX

PART 1. WRITING............................................................................................ 2

PART 2. ORAL PRESENTATION (5 -7 minutes)............................................. 7

Introduction to the Civil Rights...................................................................... 7

Movement..................................................................................................... 7

Jim Crow Laws and Segregation.................................................................. 7

Nonviolent Protest and Civil Disobedience.................................................. 7

Role of Women in the Civil Rights Movement.............................................. 8

Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement........................................................... 8

Conclusion.................................................................................................... 8

Webgraphy...................................................................................................................... 9

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Project on The Help
Groups of 4.

PART 1. WRITING
While watching the film, take notes to answer the following questions:

1. How many (white) babies did Aibileen raise during her career?
Aibileen raised seventeen babies during her career.

2. Fill in the blanks:

“You is smart. You is kind.You is important.”

3. How much did Aibileen make monthly?

Aibileen earns 95 cent/h monthly.

4. Why does Hilly refuse to use the guest bathroom at Elizabeth Leefolt’s house?
Hilly Holbrook refuses to use the guest toilet in Elizabeth Leefolt's home because she
believes that blacks carry diseases that could be transmitted to whites. Hilly is a
racist who believes in segregation and discrimination towards blacks. She is also the
leader of the local women's association and uses her leadership to impose her
beliefs on others. This incident is one of many examples in the film that highlights the
racial tensions and prejudices that existed in the southern United States in the 1960s.

5. What does Skeeter’s mother really want her daughter to achieve or have?
Skeeter's mother, Charlotte Phelan, wants her daughter to follow the traditional
Southern path for women of her social class, which involves getting married and
having children. Charlotte is disappointed with Skeeter for not conforming to these
expectations and for not being more interested in finding a suitable husband. She
also disapproves of Skeeter's desire to become a writer and to pursue a career.
Eventually, Charlotte's aspirations for her daughter clash with Skeeter's dreams and
ambitions, causing tension and conflict among them throughout the film.

6. Skeeter calls Ms. Stein to run a book idea by her. What is it?
Skeeter calls Miss Stein to suggest a book. The idea is to compile stories from
African American maids who work for white families in Jackson, Mississippi, and to
publish them anonymously to highlight their experiences and the inequities they face.

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7. How does Aibileen react to Skeeter’s proposal?
Aibileen initially rejects Skeeter's proposal to help her with the book project as she
fears for her safety and the safety of others in their community. Aibileen is hesitant to
share her personal experiences and those of her fellow African American maids with
Skeeter, who is a white woman, as it could lead to serious consequences for them.
However, Aibileen eventually decides to work with Skeeter and share her story in the
hopes of creating a positive change in their society.

8. How does Elizabeth Leefolt’s husband feel about the extra bathroom his wife
(and Hilly) wants to build for the help?
Elizabeth Leefolt's husband, Mr. Leefolt, was initially opposed to constructing a
separate bathroom for Aibileen. He sees this as an unnecessary expense and
believes that help should continue to use the existing toilets in the home.
However, when he was persuaded by Hilly Holbrook that the construction of a
separate bathroom was necessary to prevent the spread of disease, Leefolt
reluctantly accepted the idea. He eventually let Hilly handle the project, despite his
concerns about the cost, even so, later in the film, it’s revealed that Mr. Leefolt is
having financial troubles and may have been hesitant to spend money on a new
bathroom for the help. This suggests that his initial opposition to the idea was
motivated by concerns about money rather than any objection to the concept of a
separate bathroom for the help.

9. Why doesn’t Aibileen want to help Skeeter with her book?

Aibileen initially doesn't want to help Skeeter with her book because she is afraid of
the potential consequences of sharing her experiences as a black maid in the 1960s
Mississippi. Aibileen has seen the harsh reality of racism and segregation, and she
fears that speaking out about it could put her and other maids in danger. Additionally,
Aibileen has experienced personal loss and trauma in her life and is hesitant to revisit
painful memories by telling her story. However, as the movie progresses, Aibileen
begins to feel more empowered by the idea of sharing her experiences and making a
difference in the world, which ultimately leads her to decide to help Skeeter with her
book.

10. Skeeter reads a copy of the Jim Crow laws. What does she learn could happen
to her for writing this book?
Skeeter learns that she could face serious consequences for writing a book that
challenges the social norms and racial segregation laws of the time. Specifically, she

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 could face criminal defamation charges and imprisonment for up to six months, with a
fine of up to $500, or both. She may also face social stigma, including the loss of her
job and being ignored by her community.

11. Not only does Minny get herself in trouble at work, but she has to face certain
problems at home, too. What is the problem at home?
Minny faces domestic violence at home from her abusive husband, Leroy. Leroy is
shown to be physically and verbally abusive towards Minny and their children, which
causes her great distress and fear. Minny also faces economic instability, as Leroy
has often been without a job and spends their money on alcohol, leaving Minny
struggling to support their family. This story of family violence highlights the
intersectional nature of oppression and how the characters in the film are affected by
racism and sexism in their daily lives.

12. Why does Aibileen decide to help Skeeter?

Aibileen decides to help Skeeter because she sees a window of opportunity to
change the world in a positive way. As a black maid who has experienced
discrimination and oppression throughout her life, Aibileen wants to use her voice to
help break down the racial barriers that exist in society. She is initially uncertain to
share her experiences with Skeeter, but she ultimately decides to participate in the
book project because she believes it will give her and other black maids a chance to
tell their stories and have their voices heard.

13. Who is Minny’s new employer?

Minny's new employer is Celia Rae Foote, a young and naive white woman who has
recently moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and is viewed as an outsider by the local
society ladies.

14. How is Celia different from the other white women?

Celia Rae Foote is different from the other white women in the town. Firstly, she is
from a poor background and has married into wealth, this means that she is not
accepted by the other wealthy and socially-connected white women who see her as
an outsider. Secondly, she doesn't share the prejudices and doesn't judge people
based on their race or social status as the other white women do. Lastly, Celia is
more vulnerable and open-minded than the other white women, admitting her
struggles with social etiquette, which makes her more sympathetic and relatable.

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15. Why doesn’t Celia want her husband to know that she hired a maid?
Celia hides Minny's employment from her husband Johnny, fearing her disapproval
and anger. She desperately seeks his love and approval, and fears he will consider
her weak or a traitor for hiring a black maid woman. This secret creates tension in
their already troubled marriage.

16. Why does Skeeter storm away from her date, Stuart?
Skeeter storms away from her date, Stuart, because she discovers that he and his
friends have framed a black man for stealing a ring. Skeeter is horrified by the
injustice and racism she sees and realises that Stuart and her friends are not the kind
of person she wants to be around. She confronts Stuart about his behaviour, but he
defends himself and his friends, exposing his own racist attitudes. This causes
Skeeter to lose all respect for Stuart and ultimately leads to the end of their
relationship.

17. How does Ms. Stein feel about the book/interviews?

At first, Ms. Stein is sceptical about the book and the interviews that Skeeter is
conducting with the black maids in Jackson, Mississippi. She initially thinks that the
book will not be a success and that it will not be popular. However, as Skeeter sends
her more and more of the book, Ms. Stein becomes gradually enthusiastic about the
project. She sees the potential for the book to become a best-seller and literary
sensation. She encourages Skeeter to continue her work and helps her to get the
book published. In the end, Ms. Stein is delighted with the success of the book and
with Skeeter's talent as a writer.

18. What happened to Aibileen’s son?

Aibileen's son, Treelore, died at 24 while working as a sanitation worker and was
crushed in the back of a garbage truck. His death had a significant impact on
Aibileen's life and motivated her to participate in Skeeter's book project. She hoped
to give a voice to other black maids and shed light on the injustices they faced in
Jackson, Mississippi.

19. How did Skeeter humiliate Hilly?

Skeeter humiliated Hilly by exposing her "home help sanitation initiative" during a
charity event. Skeeter wrote a book about the experiences of black maids, including
their treatment by their white employers, and in it, she revealed how Hilly had
implemented a policy where white families built separate bathrooms for their black

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 maids because they believed that black people carried diseases that could be
transmitted through the same bathroom. Skeeter publicly denounced Hilly's initiative
at the charity event, revealing the cruel and racist nature of politics and embarrassing
Hilly in front of friends and co-workers.

20. Why did Hilly have Yule Mae arrested?

Hilly had Yule Mae arrested for stealing a ring. That was to pay for her twins' college
education. Yule May asked Miss Hilly for a landing, but when she refused to give her
the money, she resorted to stealing in order to give her boys the opportunity to get an
education. In revenge, Miss Hilly has her thrown in jail.

21. How does Celia resolve to make things right with Hilly?
Celia is looking for Minny's help to improve her cooking and housework skills in order
to impress Hilly and win acceptance of other women in town. However, her efforts to
repair the damage end up with more faces, more rejection and ridicule.
Celia's labour origins and lack of social grace contributed to her ostracism in the
community. Despite her difficulties, Celia is determined to integrate and work things
out with Hilly.

22. What mistake does Celia make at the auction? (There are multiple answers.
You only have to give one.)
One of the mistakes she makes is bidding on a pie for $10,000 by Minny Jackson,
which is much higher than the actual value of the pie.

23. Why did Charlotte, Skeeter 's mother, really fire Constantine? La echo para
quedar bien delante de sus compañeras.
Skeeter's mother fired Constantine because she discovered that Constantine had a
daughter who was biracial. Charlotte was a deeply racist person and could not
accept the fact that Constantine had a child with a black man. When Constantine
refused to hide her daughter's existence and identity, Charlotte fired her. This was a
heartbreaking moment for both Constantine and Skeeter, who was very close to
Constantine and considered her to be a second mother. The incident serves as an
example of the deeply ingrained racism and discrimination that existed in the
American South during the 1960s.

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Summarise the historical context of the film. Mention Martin Luther King and Rosa
Parks. Exemplify your explanation with parts of the film. (Think about the rights of
Black people).

The Help is a movie made in the 1960s in Jackson “Mississippi ”, during the Civil Rights
Movement, a time when racial segregation was still standing in the south of the United
States. For the moment, Martin Luther KingJr. was a noted civil rights defender. He argued
for ending isolation and realising equal rights for African Americans. In 1963, he made his
notorious speech entitled" I Have a Dream", calling for an end to racism and demarcation.

Rosa Parks was also an important figure during this time. In 1955, she refused to give up her
seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white person, an act of kick that came a catalyst
for the Civil Rights Movement.
In The Help, the main characters are African American maids who work for white families.
The film portrays the deeply hardwired racism and demarcation that was in the southern
United States during this time, as well as the challenges faced by those who were fighting for
equal rights.

For example, in one scene, Minny, one of the maids, is fired by her employer after using the
restroom in her house, a practice that wasn't allowed for African Americans in numerous
white homes. This incident highlights the unstable treatment that African Americans faced in
their daily lives.

"The Help" also touches on the dangers and violence that civil rights activists faced. In one
scene, Skeeter, a white woman who is writing a book about the experiences of African
American maids, receives a threatening phone call warning her to stop her work. This scene
is a reminder of the real risks that activists and those who supported civil rights faced during
this time.
Overall, "The Help" provides a snapshot of the historical context of the Civil Rights
Movement, with particular emphasis on the struggles and injustices faced by African
Americans in the southern United States during this time.

"The Help" also touches on the troubles and violence that civil rights activists faced. In one
scene, Skeeter, a white woman who's writing a book about the experiences of African
American maids, receives a hanging phone call advising her to stop her work. This scene is
a memorial of the real difficulties that activists and those who supported civil rights faced
during this time.

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Overall," The Help" provides a shot of the literal environment of the Civil Rights Movement,
with particular emphasis on the struggles and injustices faced by African Americans in the
southern United States during this time.

PART 2. ORAL PRESENTATION (5 -7 minutes)

Introduction to the Civil Rights
In 2011, The Help was published about the lives of African-American domestic workers in
Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s, when the civil rights movement was growing in the United
States. National and moral pressure is very high. The sociopolitical movement to eliminate
apartheid and to exclude African-Americans in the United States lasted from the 1950s to
the late 1960s and had a major impact on American society and politics.

Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a defining and important moment in American history it was
when people protested against racism and segregation.
The movement gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s,and they managed to change the
laws and make great progress The Help This Time takes place and tells the story of a young
white woman who is the voice of many African women maids who suffer discrimination every
day in their work, schools and everywhere

Jim Crow Laws and Segregation

One of the defining features of the Civil Rights Movement was the fight against Jim Crow
laws and segregation. These laws caused the discrimination of the African American people
in public, transportation, schools... they also withdrew the right to vote and participate in civil
life
In The Help, we see how these laws affect the lives of black maids in Mississippi. They are
forced to use separate bathrooms and work in separate kitchens, despite often being
responsible for raising their white employers' children.

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Nonviolent Protest and Civil Disobedience
The Civil Rights Movement It was marked by a series of violent protests and disobedience to
them. The main representatives were Martin Luther king Jr. Protesters engaged in sit-ins,
boycotts, and marches to demand equal rights and challenge unjust laws.
In The Help, we see the power of nonviolent protest when the black maids agree to share
their stories with the young writer. By speaking out against the injustices they face, they
inspire others to do the same and bring attention to the need for change.

Role of Women in the Civil Rights Movement

Women played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, They organised and pas leaders
and activists. They contributed a lot, they wanted to protest to have those rights like driving,
changing at a local and national level.
In The Help, we see how women from different backgrounds come together to fight for
justice. The young writer, Skeeter, is initially hesitant to get involved in the movement, but
she is inspired by the courage of the black maids and the determination of her friend
Aibileen.

Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement

We can continue to see the legacy of civil rights today since the impact was great on
American society and he achieved important legal and social changes, including the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In The Help, we see how the actions of a few individuals can make a difference in that fight.
The decision of the young writer to give voice to the
black maids helped reveal discrimination and inequality that had been hidden for a long
time.

Conclusion
The Civil Rights Movement was a high point in American achievements, noticeable by the
eagerness and resilience of those who fought for honesty and equality.

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The Help provided a powerful glimpse into the lives of those who lived during a remarkable
time, and reminds us of the gravity of speaking out against injustice.
Through its tale of the struggles and triumphs of black maids in Mississippi, The Help
encourages us to sustain the work of the Civil Rights Movement and fight for a more
contentious and equitable grouping.

Webgraphy
● https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement-timeline
● https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Help_(film)
● https://ew.com/article/2011/08/11/black-women-historians-come-out-against-the-help/
● https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-help-2011

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