The text I am choosing to review for this assignment is the movie The Help, directed by Tate Taylor. This movie is based on the novel and takes place in the early 1960’s in Jackson, Mississippi. The film follows an eager young white writer, Skeeter as she exposes to the world to events based on true stories told by African American woman who identify as maids, or “the help”. During this time Skeeter also researches the systematic injustice within the state of Mississippi that African Americans had to deal with at the time. From the beginning the maids, like Aibileen and Minny, were hesitant to partner with Skeeter due to their distrust in whites, and their fear of experiencing repercussions. Overall the story is very dynamic since it takes place during the civil rights movement, as it analyzes topics like racism, social class, and gender roles.
Throughout the film the woman who tell their stories to Skeeter are shown doing their jobs in the households of wealthy white families. The maids are forced to do repetitive work, like cooking and cleaning, and they are even responsible for caring for the children. There are many instances that when their employers are disrespectful and or abusive towards them. The maids have limited career, so they are almost forced into this unhealthy work environment. They are limited because maids are denied higher education to help them advance within their careers or other areas, just due to their color.
Gender roles are present within the households that are highlighted throughout the movie. Skeeter struggles to gain acceptance from her family when it comes to being a writer, and she feels forced to only be a wife and mother. Another woman, Celia, has multiple miscarriages but feels forced to hid her emotions because she wants to be a strong enough wife to her husband.
Lastly, social class is what shapes Jackson as a society. The wealthy are at the top, and they have at least one maid to cook, clean, and take care of the children. The maids that work for them are considered the working class. Whereas the upper class, who does not associate with those below them, own much of the industry and are able to provide for their children without worry. Discrimination due to classism occurs also, when Skeeter tells her editor her story idea, she did not support it at first due to its affiliation with the maids, Aibileen and Minny. Overall, this movie depicts a story during the civil rights movement that highlights many ideas that we have gone over in this class. Therefore, if you’ve never seen the movie, I recommend you watch it with your new perspective shaped by what we’ve learned.