Chapter 7, 8 & 9: Aibileen's Secret Rebellion and Getting Even Deeper with Skeeter Phelan

Wow, I loved these chapters! I like Skeeter and Aibileen more and more as I continue reading. They seem so realistic. I love it. Okay, on to the questions...

In chapter 7, Aibileen talks more about the seed of bitterness she feels growing up inside of her after her son's death. She has been a submissive maid for years, but is never able to stick around with a family after the children lose their color-blindness. She is becoming somewhat fed-up with this cycle and, maybe as a result of her suppressed bitterness, she decides to try a little experiment with Mae Mobley. She begins to impress ideas of higher value and self-confidence on Mae Mobley. If you were in her place, would you attempt this or a similar experiment? If so, what messages or beliefs would you want to impart to this little girl?

In chapter 7 we also get acquainted with Elizabeth's mean mother. I have to ask because you are such smart psychology-types, do you think the way Elizabeth mothers (and I use that word very loosely) Mae Mobley is a reflection of her own upbringing? As a character in Stockett's imagination, do you think Elizabeth ever measured up to her own mother's expectations?

One evening, after a very long day at work and hearing the terrible news about Robert being beaten blind, Aibileen comes home to find Skeeter on her front step. She expects more questions about the Miss Myrna column but gets something quite different. If you were in Aibileen's position, what would your response be to a proposition like Skeeter's to be interviewed for a book? Do you think she should do it?

In chapter 8, we learn that Skeeter told a little lie about getting a black maid's cooperation for her book before she actually got it. Would you be willing to do the same or otherwise finesse the truth if you were in her place? Why was a real historical book like this never actually written? If you lived during this time period in the "deep South," would you even read a book of interviews of the help? Why or why not?

On page 111, Hilly openly takes credit for arranging things for Aibileen's new bathroom in an attempt to get a "thank you" from Aibileen. Why do you think she does this? What would you do if you were Aibileen in this situation? What might have been a different but peaceable response?

In chapter 9 Skeeter goes on a date that, if it weren't fiction, could be considered one of the worst in history. What are your thoughts of her blind date, Stuart Whitworth? Do you think we've seen the last of him in this book?

Were there any literary devices or special touches you noticed in these chapters?

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.