Jasmine
3/07/13
2nd hour- Vandy
“The Help” Essay (Film Version)

The Help is a novel and a film based on the difficulties of the African American community, primarily the women, and the struggles they faced during the 1960s in Mississippi. During this decade, African American people faced the problem of social prejudice or racism. As children, the girls were predestined to be help to the white families when they were of age. Their duties were to tend to the needs of the babies and children, clean the house, clean and fold the clothes, cook the food, and do the dishes. I believe that the themes brought out in this movie are courage, what the past can teach us or warn us of, and freedom.
The past is an excellent representation of what the future may hold. The past is here for but a brief second to teach us valuable life lessons that we should never forget. The past informs the future in many ways. It shows us that the things that happened in the past are likely to reoccur, maybe not in the same shape and form, but in the same manner. The past can also lead by example to help us learn from our past mistakes, so that we can alter our futures for the better. The past may also simply be a reminder of things that may come in the future. In any case, the past will inform the future, whether it is in a negative or positive way. Freedom is something that every one of all races struggle to achieve in some way. Freedom can mean different things to different people depending on their circumstances. Some people may be politically free but struggle to be free mentally in society. “The Help” dealt with many of these issues through the 1960’s. During the 1960’s woman of all ethnicities struggled to achieve freedom in their lives due to various aspects of society. Society’s expectations, laws and social pressures are some of the ways people can feel imprisoned mentally and physically. All woman were forced to follow the expectations society put on them which mentally restricted them of freedom and personal choice. Woman of all races were dictated by their husbands and were not thought of as equals.
Skeeter is a wealthy white young lady, recently graduated from college and eager to have a career as a 'real writer'. It is clear from the beginning of the movie that Skeeter knows something is not right in her society. She does not speak her mind about the injustices in her society until the end of the film. All of her family and friends act as if there is nothing wrong with the way they are treated because no one is courageous enough to stand up for what is right. At the end of the film, Skeeter breaks the mold her ancestors have made and steps outside of the box. She finally becomes a ‘real writer’ and releases the truth about what is happening in Mississippi.
“The Help” is full of numerous themes. The three I feel are most important are
Courage, what the past can teach us or warn us of, and freedom.