Character Development Plot Element of The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Character Development Plot Element of The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Character Development

The novel I read throughout this quarter was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The character development in the book takes place in many different ways. The author uses many different techniques such as showing the same events, with many different perspectives and points of views. The main characters in this novel are Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minnie. The character that you see most change in as the story develops is Skeeter. Skeeter starts of as one of the usual high society ladies of Jackson Mississippi. Later on in the story you begin to see that her priorities are different form the rest of her friends such as Hilly Holbrook. Skeeter aspires to be a journalist for a big paper which was considered a joke for women at this time. But, she starts out writing answers to questions for a local magazine. She gives advice on cleaning cooking, etc. For help on her column she asks her friends’ maids for help. Skeeter is different from any of the other (white) ladies in he story. The author makes you admire her bravery and her not caring of what other people think about her. Skeeter has a long time relationship with Stuart which ended when Skeeter told him that she was writing a book. Exposing all of her friends, telling the world the truth about a maids life working with these women. Skeeter became close with her friend Elizabeth’s maid Aibileen. When helping her to write her advice column. Later on Skeeter asks Aibileen for help on her book.  Aibeleen is a loyal and very loving character. The author makes you love her by the way she treats Mae Mobley (the girl that she takes care of). Also her will to help Skeeter, shows her loyalty towards people she cares about such as Minnie and Skeeter. Minnie makes you laugh, cry and love her at the same time. The author makes Minnie a back talker and a sassy maid. Which makes you love her even more, because she isn’t afraid of anybody or anything. Minnie is the kind of person who gives her honest opinion wether people want to hear it or not. And I admire her for that, although I know that some people may think she is way out of here league. 

Plot Elements

This novel takes place in Jackson Mississippi, in the 1960’s. It revolves around the three main characters that were mentioned above. Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minnie. Aibileen and Minnie being the maids of Skeeter’s friends Elizabeth and the mother of Hilly Holbrook who is the antagonist of the novel. Skeeter had always known these two but, had gotten closer to Aibileen when asking for advice on her columns in the local paper. When Hilly Holbrook began with the idea of making separate bathrooms for the help or maids. (Because they thought that they carried diseases that could get them sick) Skeeter was against this idea. She thought that It was ridiculous and began seeing things from another point of view. This is the beginning of the conflict which is Skeeter’s secret plan to write a book about working from the inside, exposing all of the stay home moms of Jackson. When Skeeter’s friends realize how much time she spends chatting with their maids suspicions begin to rise. Skeeter begins to be discriminated and treated like an outcast. Things really get heated when Skeeter finally gives the book to a publisher and they love it! In the book all of the names were changed but, it still took place in Jackson. There is a lot of talk in the United  States about this book, who was written by anonymous. When Hilly Holbrook realizes the book is about her, and her friends she explodes. But, she knows she can’t say anything because then people will know that it is about Jackson. And everybody would know all the terrible things she had done. People in Jackson look at Skeeter like she’s a trader and talk behind her back (I think that many people secretly knew but no one said anything). The resolution is when Skeeter is offered a job in New York, and tells Aibileen and Minnie about it, she is worried that something might happen to them but, they are so happy for Skeeter and insists she take the offer.