Chapters 5 & 6: Getting to know Miss Skeeter

I really loved getting to know more about Skeeter! I had some very personal connections with these chapters so the questions are somewhat more reflective than literary. Don't feel like you have to respond to everything. Happy Reading!

I was also wondering if you all wanted to do 3 chapters next week as chapter 7 is Abileen's and 8 and 9 are Skeeter's. I thought it might make more sense to do Skeeter's together rather than wait a week between. But really whatever is fine with me.

Here are this weeks Questions:

Now that we’ve gotten to know Skeeter better, how do you react/relate to her character?

What was your reaction of Skeeter going to visit Constantine for an hour on Fridays during her childhood? Why do you think her parents let her go? Why did her father give Constantine extra money?

Why do you think Skeeter’s mother fired Constantine?

At the end of chapter 6 Elaine, the editor in NYC tells Skeeter to find some ideas that actually have punch to them. If you were living Skeeter’s life what would your great idea be? Do you think you would be brave enough to write about it?

Hilly and Elizabeth’s relationship with Skeeter is really developed in these chapters in a way that surprised me. On page 88 Skeeter says “I look in their smiling faces, at their hope for me. It’s not like Mother’s meddling, but a clean hope, without strings or hurt.” What are your thoughts about Skeeter’s friendship with those women and what direction do you think their relationship is going?

Were there any literary devices or special touches you found? (I thought we could keep this as a running question through the club, if that’s alright with you guys)

Chapters 3 & 4 -- Minny

Chapter 3 introduces us to a new character - Mrs. Celia Rae Foote. She is Minny's new boss, and a very intriguing character. She seems nice enough, but very quirky! This leads to my first discussion item:

• What are your thoughts and reactions to the way Celia and Minny interact?
  
• What do you think Celia's perception of Minny really is?
  
• What do you think Celia is hiding?

On p. 38 Minny recalls the day she turned 14, the same day her mother told her the "rules" for working for a White Lady.

• Were there any rules that you found interesting?
  
• Did the rules give you any new insights to the plight of being the help?

I also caught a few nuances in Stockett's writing in these chapters...

• Were there any literary devices or special touches you found?

Can't wait to hear y'all's thoughts!

The Help, Chapters 1&2

I really enjoyed reading these chapters. Aibileen is very fleshed out and human. Her relationship to her employer, Miss Leefolt, and Miss Leefolt's little girl, Mae Mobley, are complex and made me want to cry a little. I appreciate that Kathryn Stockett is a Jackson, Mississippi native, lending her the experience and history necessary to write this novel. I don't think the issues she addresses could be adequately covered by anyone who is not intimately acquainted with the deep south. I can tell I'm going to like Minny already. I also appreciate how Aibileen is still moving forward but not at all over the death of her son. That's a mark of a strong mother, I think, and Stockett's descriptions of her emotions are excellent.


What are your first impressions of Aibileen?

What are your first impressions of Miss Skeeter?

What are your first impressions of Minny?

When Miss Skeeter asks Aibileen if she wants to change things, do you think the two of them have the same types or degrees of change in mind?

What was your first response to the colored bathrooms versus white bathrooms issue?

What would you guess Minny did to Miss Hilly?

Book Pool

I thought it might be helpful to have a running book pool to choose from. List things you were thinking about and feel free to veto someone else's pick. There are so many books I think we would all enjoy there's no point in being miserable reading something you know you won't like or have no interest in reading. List away!

Suggestions so far:

Penelope Ayers: A memoir by Amy Julia Becker

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

What to do?

Hey Ladies,

How would we like to use this blog? I think a few questions that need to be answered are:
1. How much do you want to commit to reading over a given amount of time?
2. How often do you want to post?
3. How should we format our posts?

As far as posting format goes, one idea I had was that one of us could be the "host" of the book club "meeting" and post their thoughts and maybe some questions to which the other members would respond to. The "host" position would rotate, so that the responsibility was shared but you wouldn't have to make a lengthy post every time. Obviously, anyone would be welcome to post in addition to the host for a given chapter set. I'm totally open to other ideas as well.

I'm so glad we're doing this! I look forward to hearing from you soon.