As promised... a better ending post for The Help. I apologize (once again) for not being dedicated to this book. It was a very good book and I did enjoy it in the end.
My favorite characters in this book are Aibileen, Minny, and Celia. And probably in that order, too. Notice how they are all the 'outcasts'? Very clearly written so that we would be sympathetic towards them.
Celia I like because she just doesn't seem to see color. Minny seems to chalk it up to her being from the wrong side of the train tracks (i.e. not growing up in society and not knowing any better)... but I think she is really ahead of the game. Even I 'see color' and feel awkward and like I don't know how I am supposed to act around people who are different than me. I admire that she seems to talk to Minny just like anyone else. Even if she isn't the brightest AND is trying to take credit for Minny's cooking, cleaning, and general house-wifery skills. I also really enjoyed Celia's journey to just being herself. And I like her better for it.
Minny I like because she is spunky. She has strong opinions and voices them (sometimes) but also tries to keep it under control. The only thing that I didn't like about her story was that she was married to an abusive man. I suppose you could say that it was pretty accepted back then, but it just was so unfair.
Aibileen I like because she is so wise and so smart. I love that she knows her strengths, writes down her prayers. And she writes them down straight for God and not for showing off. The way she treats Mae Mobley; especially the way she tried to teach her right from wrong. That she seemed to be able to say all the right things about the difference in color. That it's "because God made me this way" and no other reason. That having different colors on the inside doesn't make a person dirty or less deserving of anything. I admire the way that she loves Mae and tells her good things (you a good girl, a kind girl, you important). Those are things that I think every child needs to have affirmed in them from a very young age. Heck, I need to be giving MYSELF those affirmations.
So I guess the reason that I like these characters is because they have qualities that I admire or want to have in myself. And heck, I want to go back and re-read Aibileen's sections and mark the things she says that I want to remember even more. :) Oh, and add in that Minny and Aibileen especially stood up for what they believed in even when they were being threatened! I LOVE what Aibileen says to Miss Hilly at the end.
One thing I'm curious about: do you all think that Miss Skeeter 'got off easy'?
Feel free to post/ponder your own questions for discussion. And I want to know your thoughts on the (middle and) end of the book!
