Discussion Guide - The Help

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

Characters
Employers	The Help
Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan Carlton Sr. Charlotte Carlton Jr.	Constantine Lulabelle – daughter, passed for white
Hilly Holbrook William	Yule Mae – jailed for stealing ring, two sons going to college
Miss Walters – Hilly’s mother	Minny
Elizabeth Leefolt Raleigh Mae Mobley Li’l Man	Aibileen Treelore – son killed in work accident
Celia Foote Johnny	Minny Leroy – husband
Lou Anne Templeton	Louvenia Robert – grandson, beaten and blinded for using white restroom by mistake
Whitworths Francine and Senator Stuart
Elaine Stein, editor

For discussion:

1. Discuss how the white people could be so blind to the situations and lives of their colored employees.  In many cases they thought they were being kind and helpful.
2. How was it possible that Elizabeth Leefolt did not recognize herself in the book?
3. Some people appreciated their help (Lou Anne Templeton) and others did not (Hilly Holbrook).  What do you think made the difference?
4. Do you think Skeeter really understood the danger to the other women?  Do you think she was selfish or courageous?
5. What was Skeeter’s motivation, to help or to write a good story?  Did it change as she got more involved in the project?
6. Discuss Skeeter’s growing awareness as the book progressed.  On page 154 of the hardback, she worries about her past behavior and comments, “…never suspecting the help was listening or cared.”
7. Discuss Constantine and Lulabelle.  Given the culture of the times, can you rationalize or excuse the actions of Skeeter’s mother?   If she thought she did the proper thing, why did she not tell Skeeter?
8. Compare the groups’ treatment of Celia to the way they treated their maids.  What was similar and what was different?
9. What did you think of the relationship among Elizabeth Leefolt, Aibileen, and Mae Mobley?
10. On page 188 of the hardback the author describes a white woman’s revenge.  Do you think this is true now?  Have you ever felt like taking revenge on someone or experienced this?
11. Discuss Leroy’s abuse of Minny throughout the book and Minny’s courage at the end. 
12. How did Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny grow throughout the novel?  How did their lives change?  What do you think happened to them?
13. What was your favorite incident in the book?