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?

Reading Guide: Nickel and Dimed

Reading Guide for

Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich

 

Before you read:
• Think about your previous work experiences.
• How much did you earn? What were you responsible for purchasing with your earnings?
• Think about the people you worked with. Were any of them supporting themselves on the same wage you were earning?
 • Vocabulary - Before you read, be sure you know the meaning of the following:
o Page 2 – autonomy, autonomous
o Page 8 – ineradicably
o Page 14 – surfeit
o Page 18 – vulnerable, vulnerability; nurturance; plurality
o Page 26 – solipsism
o Page 75 – cineast
o Page 137 – unctuous
o Page 157 - apotheosis

Introduction: Getting Ready
As you read, look for:

• The author’s three rules as she undertook this project.
• The limits she imposed
• How was the author different from the others working in these situations?

 Chapter One: Serving in Florida
As you read, look for:

• Her job search process
• Hearthside
• Her feelings about the customers that she served
• Her interpretation of the manager’s job
• Jerry’s
• Why many of the servers smoke
• The psychological “flow state”
• Housekeeping at the hotel connected to Jerry’s

Think about:
On page 27 she wrote, “In poverty, as in certain propositions in physics, starting conditions are everything.”

• What does this sentence mean?
• How do the following examples explain it in reference to poverty and homelessness?

 Chapter Two: Scrubbing in Maine

As you read, look for:

• Pre-employment tests – different types, types of questions, purposes
• Duties as Dietary Aid in Woodcrest Residential Facility
• The Maids – duties, co-workers
• Ted’s approval – why it is important to the workers

Think about:
On pages 109 – 114 Holly gets injured and refuses to take any action. Why?

• Should the author have handled this differently?
• What would you do?

 Chapter Three: Selling in Minnesota
As you read, look for:

• Budgie and her friend’s apartment
• Caroline’s story
• Why the author chooses Wal-Mart over Menards
• Duties as a Wal-Mart Associate
• The psychology behind the hiring process
• Housing issues in Minnesota
• Why people stay at their jobs and not question the pay

 Evaluation
As you read, look for:

•  What she learned about surviving and succeeding in the jobs she experienced
•  The connection between success at work and success managing day-to-day life
•  Low income housing crisis
•  Why workers do not demand higher wages and do not switch to better paying jobs
•  How employers work to keep wages low

Afterword: Nickel and Dimed

As you read, look for:

•  Reactions to the book
•  Progress or lack-of-progress for low-wage earners since 2001

For reflection and discussion:

• Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 edition, online. Look at various jobs and their educational and skill requirements, average wages, etc.
• What have you learned through reading this book about the world of work?
• What successes did the author have during this endeavor? What failures? Do you think there was anything she should have done differently?
• How do you think she would have survived if this was really her life?