What Is Her.meneutics?

The Christianity Today women's blog provides news and analysis from the perspective of evangelical women. We cover news stories and books related to international justice and evangelism, pregnancy and sexual ethics, marriage, parenting, and celibacy, pop culture, health and body image, raising girls, and women in the church and parachurch.

Her.meneutics is edited by associate editor Katelyn Beaty and online editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey.

Free Newsletters

books we're reading



« 'Why Don't You Just Adopt?' | Main | Should Pro-lifers Call Black Children an 'Endangered Species'? »

March 10, 2010

A Black Maid's Expose

First-time novelist Kathryn Stockett's 'The Help' uses compelling narrative to illustrate the power of truth telling.

Sarah Pulliam Bailey

It took me several weeks to finally retrieve The Help from the library's waiting list, but I was determined to find out what the fuss was about. Kathryn Stockett's first novel has appeared on The New York Times bestseller list for 48 weeks. It was worth the wait. The Help (Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam) is a beautiful story of a powerful bond that develops between three women in the segregated South.

thehelp.JPG


The Help, set in Mississippi, 1962, will likely remind readers of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill a Mockingbird for its themes of racial injustice, class differences, and gender roles. Stockett's story begins by introducing her most charming character, Aibileen, a black maid who spends her days taking care of white babies and her nights writing down prayers. The woman she works for has just been convinced to install a special bathroom for Aibileen's use, believing that African Americans carry special diseases. Overhearing the conversation, a white woman named Skeeter asks Aibileen whether she ever wishes she could change things. Her question is cut short by Aibileen's employer, but the idea lingers with Aibileen.

"The thing is though, if I start praying for Miss Skeeter, I know that conversation gon continue the next time I see her," Aibileen says. "And the next and the next. Cause that's the way prayer do. It's like electricity, it keeps things going. . . . Law, I reckon I just go ahead and put Miss Skeeter on the list, but how come, I don't know."

Skeeter is a 22-year-old budding writer whose mentor has instructed her, "Write what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else." She embarks on a project to interview several black maids and tell the stories of how their employers treat them. The challenge, though, is to get the maids to talk. As Minny, another maid, explains to Skeeter, ". . . the NAACP officer who live five minutes away, they blew up his carport last night. For talking."

Skeeter eventually persuades Aibileen to participate in her project by dictating the stories she's written down. "Can't be much different than writing my prayers every night," she says. "You don't say your prayers then?" Skeeter asks. "Find I can get my point across a lot better writing 'em down," Aibileen replies. Skeeter determines that the writing is clear, honest. "Well, look who I been writing to. Can't lie to God."

segregation-thumb.jpg

Skeeter risks her friendship with her old roommate, Miss Hilly, who does fundraising for “the Poor Starving Children of Africa” while she treats the black maids like they are thieves. Without turning the novel into a 'message' book, Stockett reveals the ironies of ways blacks were treated in the segregated South; for example, the maids raise the children of their employers, who are convinced the maids have diseases related to their skin color.

Stockett's tale also illustrates the power of truth telling. As the civil rights movement starts to gain momentum throughout the country, more maids become eager for their stories to be heard. The little girl whom Aibileen cares for asks one day, "How come you're colored, Aibileen?" "Now I've gotten this question a few times from my other white kids. I used to just laugh, but I want to get this right with her. 'Cause God made me colored,' I say. 'And there ain't another reason in the world.' "

Some readers might find the book's rhythm difficult to get used to. Janet Maslin of The New York Times points out the potential risks of "a Southern-born white author who renders black maids’ voices in thick, dated dialect.” The author switches between the three women's stories, so dialects change every few chapters. DreamWorks Studios has picked up the film rights to the novel, so expect the story to be around for a while.

Overall, Stockett subtly shows the power of a truthful narrative. She skillfully weaves the stories of three women into a compelling account of the risks women take to combat injustice.

Share |

Posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey on March 10, 2010 8:06 AM

Comments

This reminds me of a story of John B. Anderson, U.S Congressman from Illinois from 1961-1981 and later ran for President as an ill-fated Independent. He was a staunch conservative but became a Jesus follower and socially shifted to the left. He cast the deciding vote for the Fair Housing Act after flying home and discussing it with his black maid. She asked him if he would deny her the right to live anywhere she wished. He flew back to DC and voted.

Posted By: Anonymous | March 10, 2010 4:12 PM

Thanks for adding that, Anonymous. It's interesting what we learn when we ask other people what they think.

Posted By: Sarah Pulliam Bailey | March 10, 2010 4:16 PM

I loved the book. Sad to say, racisim is alive and well today in 2010. Just look at how the President of our country is mocked and criticised. Really sad for so called "enlightened" people. No wonder our image is failing in foreign countries.

Posted By: Liza Sunnenberg | March 11, 2010 8:04 AM

The President's race has nothing to do with the reason many people don't like him. It's his politics, nothing more.

Posted By: Mark | March 11, 2010 3:38 PM

What is sad is why the other book is never written: The one in which white people realize the system is wrong and bad and risk life and limb side by side with black people to change it. That happened - it's history, too, but doesn't fit with our society's victim mentality and the need of upper middle class whites to feel guilty. Don't do anything real like actually giving people equal opportunities and holding them accountable. No, better to feel guilty about the past,even if you had nothing to do with it. Funny, but people like Liza S. show their own racism. They are super sensitive about race and end up being racists themselves through the quiet arrogance of low expectations. Barack Obama is delivering on none of the visions he espoused: post partisan politics, no more politics as usual, no back rooms deals, etc. He is turning out to be about the most partisan president we've had. On top of that, he is set to dramatically change the character of the U.S. by granting all kinds of new so-called rights that have never existed before. Imagine – according to the Democrats, we have the “right” to preventative healthcare at no cost and with no co-pay (as quoted by Ms. Pelosi)! What's next? Right to a car? Right to a Play Station? Right to a MP3 player? But people like me, I guess I'm a racist in Liza S.'s mind because I dare to hold Obama to the standards he set for himself. He could be purple for all I care. His policies are terrible and there will be a huge price to pay.

Posted By: BB | March 12, 2010 10:56 AM

Let's keep the discussion on the ideas of the book rather than on politics at this point. Thanks.

Posted By: Sarah Pulliam Bailey | March 12, 2010 3:31 PM

I appreciate your efforts to keep the discussion on the book and out of politics, but people who experience racism (sexim, etc.) don't have the convenience of compartmentalization.

Posted By: RLynn | March 16, 2010 1:07 PM

RLynn,
I don't think I'm asking people to compartmentalize their experience of racism, but some of the discussion is starting to get away from the point of the post. By all means, feel free to share your experiences.

Posted By: Sarah Pulliam Bailey | March 16, 2010 1:29 PM

I haven't read the book yet, but I'm in the queje at the library (I'm number 534...) A couple of years ago, a congressman here in Georgia admitted a very sad story. He had been raised by a Black maid and as he got older, she went to kiss him and he turned his face because he didn't want this Black woman kissing him. I'll give it to him that he apologized publicly for his actions. Interesting comment about feeling guilty for the past, even though you didn't have anything to do with it...I just read a post on urbanfaith.com addressing just that. I don't think we realize that while we may not have committed past acts that hurt others, we may be directly benefitting from harmful legacies. Nehemiah confessed to God for the past sins of the Israelites. I have German Chrsitan friends who have gone to cities in the Middle East to apologize for crusades that originated in their cities and towns. True reconciliation has to get beyond "I didn't do it". As far as President Obama goes, I realize that people don't like him because of his policies. I am puzzled, however, about how vehement and even scary (nooses) some of the protests are and believe that SOME of the expressions of hatred toward him ARE RACIALLY based (calling Michelle a monkey, etc.) and reflect the SAME attitudes of those I'm guessing are found in the book.

Posted By: RLynn | March 17, 2010 8:48 AM

Thanks Sarah you for being so truthful.

Posted By: Tiffany | March 17, 2010 3:39 PM

I really enjoyed listening to the book on CD. I also enjoyed thew different characters, what great choices.I also shared it with my co-workers, who also loved the book. However, I would like to comment to Liz. Liz, if you really think that people dislike our president because of politics you are clearly mistakin'.Too many are still haters of black people and that includes the President of the United States. That's why the tea party has reared it's ugly head.

Posted By: Permelia, Deedra | December 6, 2010 4:50 PM

I just completed reading this book and cannot say how much I loved it. I grew up in a predominately black neighborhood in the 1960's and saw first hand the prejudices that took place. I am a white female, however, as I like to say "It was a black doctor that saved my life because none of the 'white' doctor's would drive to where we lived. I was 9-mos old and dying... The pleas of my mother and father fell on the deaf ears of all but one doctor. I owe my life to that wonderful man. I believe that it is not ignorance or hatred that brings out the hatred in the races but rather fear. White people think... "what would happen if people knew."... Well, you know something, every now and again you need to stand up for what you believe is fair and just. What was done was wrong - Saying that, it doesn't mean that the african american's of today get to sphew their venom and anger. It wasn't me who made you a slave or who treated you badly. People (all people) need to live as if the person they were speaking to (or about) was our Lord.... Let's see how much kinder everyone gets. This book reopened our eyes to the prejudice and fear of just a handful. My respect is for all persons (sometimes even for those who don't deserve it). Being kind goes a long way...

Posted By: Miss Liz | June 30, 2011 2:14 PM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

tags

February 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29