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?
8 comments:
I am having a terrible time posting comments. It keeps telling me my character count is over, but then I move my text to a Word Doc and it says the count is well below the maximum allowed, even with spaces. What on earth!
If you were in Aibileen's place, would you attempt an experiment to impress ideas of higher values and self-confidence on Mae Mobley? If so, what messages or beliefs would you impart?
If I were in Aibileen's place I would definitely try this. I don't know what has kept her from it so long except maybe fear and a contentment mixed with weariness that comes from being a proud mother providing for her child. Now that her son has died and she is older, she has less to lose. (And being a little fed up doesn't hurt either.) I would impress on Mae Mobley how important good character is and how beauty is what beauty does. I'd also try to teach her about the equality of all people and prepare her for the prejudices she'll face in this world. Hard stuff to teach a small child, but I'd try.
Do you think the way Elizabeth mothers Mae Mobley is a reflection of her own upbringing? Do you think Elizabeth ever measured up to her own mother's expectations?
I'd say yes to the first and no to the second. I think Stockett's characters were very well fleshed out in her imagination and it is no coincidence that Elizabeth's mother is cold and judgmental.
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?
I would have to mull it over for a while, but if I trusted Miss Skeeter and believed her intentions were good, I would eventually agree. Yes, I think Aibileen should do it.
Would you be willing to lie to Elaine in NY or otherwise finesse the truth if you were in Skeeter's 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?
I might be willing to finesse the truth a little, just assuring Elaine that it was a good idea and I'm sure it can be done, maybe giving myself more confidence than I really have. I wouldn't tell her outright that I had consent I didn't have. I think a historical book like this wasn't written for three main reasons: It was too dangerous to attempt, establishing the trust necessary to get these interviews was almost impossible because the stakes were too high, and finally, I don't think this type of book would have gotten consideration for publication. I think I would read the book if I lived in the South at this time, but I would be wary that I was going to read things in it that I later wished I hadn't.
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?
She wanted a thank-you because she loves to take credit for everything because it confirms her belief that she is pushing everyone around for their own good and they will thank her later. If I were in Aibileen's situation I would have left the room, otherwise I would have told Hilly what I really thought of her. A different response may have been to bite the bullet and tell her the truth politely.
What are your thoughts of Skeeter's blind date, Stuart Whitworth? Do you think we've seen the last of him in this book?
I think he's a big idiot. I hope we've seen the last of him but I doubt we have. He should have just canceled again and permanently.
Were there any literary devices or special touches you noticed in these chapters?
I liked the irony of how Elizabeth's mother was an example of Elizabeth's relationship to her own child. She clearly hated the condition of her relationship with her mother but was repeating it with Mae Mobley.
If you were in Aibileen's place, would you attempt an experiment to impress ideas of higher values and self-confidence on Mae Mobley? If so, what messages or beliefs would you impart?
I think that Abileen is sort of headed that direction when she is telling Mae Mobley that she is a good, kind girl. I think I would want Mae to know that she doesn’t have to be like everyone else, especially her mother. I think deep down, Mae will know what is right. It’s breaking free from the pressure around her that will be the challenge.
Do you think the way Elizabeth mothers Mae Mobley is a reflection of her own upbringing? Do you think Elizabeth ever measured up to her own mother's expectations?
I would say that the way her Elizabeth and the grandmother treat Mae is a direct reflection of how Elizabeth was brought up. Elizabeth has seemed somewhat defeated since we first encountered her, and when I met her mother I think I can see why- her mother has probably always made her feel like she didn’t measure up.
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?
I think she should definitely do it, if for no other reason than to raise a little hell about all the racism in Jackson. However given the climate in the south at that time I don’t think I would have been talking to a white lady about racial issues at that time. I think I would want to take some serious precautions to protect myself, and in the end I’m not sure if I would do it.
Would you be willing to lie to Elaine in NY or otherwise finesse the truth if you were in Skeeter's 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?
I think Skeeter has a lot more gumption than I do. I don’t think I would be quite clever enough to lie either. I’m not sure a book of interviews would be published or that it would sell, but I think this book idea is still growing. I think I would be the type to read things that would make me cringe like what Skeeter wants to write about. I’ve always been the type to read books about injustice that not everyone wants to hear about. Mostly those books were about civil rights, the holocaust, feminism, wars and the like. I think a book of interviews about black help in the South would be right down my ally.
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?
Hilly’s need for a thank you exposes that she is either deeply manipulative or incredibly ignorant. If she really thinks that Abileen is happy to have an outhouse she is an idiot, but if she knows how much of a put down it is to Abileen and she is still fishing for a thank you it just shows that she is manipulative enough to play these crazy mind games with help that doesn’t even work for her. I think Abileen didn’t have much choice but to leave the room or perhaps say something about not understanding the need for such a fuss over a bathroom.
What are your thoughts of Skeeter's blind date, Stuart Whitworth? Do you think we've seen the last of him in this book?
He was the craziest! Who does stuff like that on a date? I have to wonder if Hilly knew it would be that bad or if she was surprised too. I was however intrigued by his comment that he had told Hilly he wasn’t ready for a date. It made me wonder if something terrible had happened to him (like lost a gf or wife or gone to rehab for alcohol or something). I think we’ll see more of him.
Were there any literary devices or special touches you noticed in these chapters?
I really like the detailed description of Skeeter getting ready for her date and of her brother’s girlfriend being around. I can picture her dress in my head and her pulling up to hilly’s pulling that tractor.
Jenna, It was giving me a hard time to, which is I why I split up my questions.
Stupid thing. I'll try that next time. Sorry for all the grief. Also, sorry for so many questions. They didn't all need to be answered. I was having a hard time trying to ask about/mention the pivotal points since there were so many in these chapters.
I thought the questions were great! And I'm really wordy in my responses. I don't mind leaving multiple comments, I say keep them coming!
Great! I love your comments and Robins. The details and extra thoughts you two add make it more like we're together and less like we're super far apart and doing this over the internet.
Post a Comment