The Help, Chapter One Summary, Quotes

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  • Created by: thulaarna
  • Created on: 14-03-18 22:10
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  • Chapter One
    • Key events
      • Set In Jackson Mississippi in 1962.
        • Historically most segregated state in america, arguably still today.
      • Aibileen has raised 17 kids in her lifetime.
      • Elizabeth Leefolt doesn't like Mae Mobley
      • Treelore, Aibileen's son died at 24 years old in a work accident.
      • After Treelore's death Aibileen stays in bed for months until she returns to work for the Leefolt's
      • Elizabeth uses a tablecloth to cover an 'L'  shaped crack on her table for bridge club
      • Hilly hints that Minny is stealing from Ms Walters
      • Hilly talks about the bathrooms and her initiative.
      • After Hilly and Ms Walters leave, Skeeter tries to talk to Aibileen
        • "Do you ever wish you could... change things"
    • Key Quotes
      • "Taking care of white babies, that's what I do, along with all the cooking and cleaning"
        • That is a very big work load, what do the white ladies do all day?
      • " I done raised seventeen kids in my lifetime
        • Aibileen has raised 17 kids in her lifetime.
      • "What am I doing wrong? Why can't I stop it?"
        • Elizabeth Leefolt doesn't like Mae Mobley
      • "Her body be so full a sharp knobs and corners, it's no wonder she can't soothe that baby"
        • It is as if her body was not made for being a mother, which is the opposite of what society told women at the time
      • "crying like I weren't never coming back. Miss Leefolt she'd narrow up her eyes at me like I done something wrong"
        • What does she expect when Mae Mobley is around her every day, taking care of her,
      • "Mae Mobley my special baby"
      • "He too small for that kind a work, too skinny but he needed the money"
      • "That was the day my whole world went black. Air look black, sun look black"
      • "A bitter seed was planted inside a me"
      • "Put a cloth to cover the big L-shaped crack... maybe she trying to make up for her house being small"
        • Elizabeth uses a tablecloth to cover an 'L'  shaped crack on her table for bridge club
      • "Miss Leefolt don't pay but ninety-five cents and hour"
      • "Miss Skeeter say, cause she the kind that speak to the help"
        • Not considered common curtsy to speak to the help.
      • "I reckon she don't get too many good hugs like this after I go home."
      • "I don't hate much in life, but me and that dress is not on good terms"
      • "She scared Miss Hilly be disappointed"
        • She is scared of Hilly
      • "That Minny isn't feeding you so that she can steal every last heirloom i have left"
        • Blame automatically goes onto the maid.
        • Hilly concerned for heirlooms not her actual mother.
      • "Then she give one a her 'ah-ehm's'. She got this way a clearing her throat real delicate-like that get everybody's attention"
        • Manipulative
      • "She nod like she agreeing with herself"
        • Manipulative
      • "'That's exactly why I've designed the Home Help Sanitation Initiative,' Miss Hilly say. 'As a disease-preventative measure."
        • Hilly talks about the bathrooms and her initiative.
        • She presents it in a positive manner. Makes it sound urgent and important
      • "I don't think you ought to be joking around about the colored situation. Not if you want to stay on as editor of the League, Skeeter Phelan"
        • Patronising, showing position of power"
      • "Do you ever wish you could... change things"

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