oppressionneverletyougo

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287ExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpMahmoudIbrahimIbrahimRadwan11DepartmentofForeignLanguages(EnglishSection),FacultyofEducation,TantaUniversity,EgyptEmail:mradwan72@hotmail.
comAbstractThisstudyinvestigatesKathrynStockett'sTheHelpinthelightofGaertner'sandDovidio'sconceptof―aversiveracism.
‖StockettenunciatesanattempttocrosstherigidlinesofracialbarriersseparatingEuro-AmericanandAfrican-AmericanworldsthroughthestoryoftwoblackmammywomenAibleenandMinnyandawhitegirlnamedSkeeterinJackson,Mississippiin1960's.
Thethreewomentaketurnsnarratingtheirstory.
Seemingly,differentfromoneanother;nevertheless,thethreeperspectivesareintertwinedinaprojectofwritingabookentitledTheHelpabouttheexperiencesoftheblackmaidswiththeirwhiteemployers.
Thisprojectfocusesonthewhitefamily'sconflictingattitudetowardstheirblackdomestichelp.
Itreverberateswithnotesofthefutilityoftheefforttoeliminatetheideologyofracialseparationandgrapplewiththeinveteratenotionsofbinaryoppositeraces.
Skeeterwhoseattitudetowardshermammiesisambivalent,constantlyoscillatesbetweenadherencetoegalitarianvaluesandracistfeelingsfromwhichsheseekstowrenchherself.
ShereflectsStockett'simplicitnegativefeelingswhichconveyabinaryvisionofwhiteAmericansassophisticatedandworthyoftheprivilegesofthesocietyandAfricanAmericansasinferiorsub-humans.
ExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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288ThereisnotrickiersubjectforawriterfromtheSouththanthatofaffectionbetweenablackpersonandawhiteoneintheunequalworldofsegregation.
Forthedishonestyuponwhichsuchasocietyisfoundedmakeseveryemotionsuspect,makesitimpossibletoknowwhetherwhatflowedbetweentwopeoplewashonestfeelingorpityorpragmatism.
Indeed,fortheblackperson,thefeigningofanexpectedemotioncouldbetheverycoinageofsurvival.
(Raines3)InherafterwardtoTheHelp(2009),KathrynStockettquotestheabove-mentionedwordstosubstantiatethecomplexityoftherelationshipbetweenwhiteAmericansandAfricanAmericans.
Theintricacyoftheracialsituationmakesitdifficulttoadoptanunequivocalstance.
Conflictingattitudesexistsidebysidewithintheindividualwhetherwhiteorblack,maleorfemale,richorpoor.
Suchdiscrepancysowstheseedsofachronicconditionof―ambivalence,‖atermoriginallycoinedbyEugenBleulerinthenineteenthcenturytoreferto―apotentmixtureofextremepositiveandnegativeevaluations‖(Newby-Clark675)intheapproachofwhitepeopletowardminoritiesinthesociety,especiallyBlackAmericans.
Inhisscientificdiagnosis,IrwinKatzidentifiesthisstanceas―apsychologicalcondition‖(23).
Individualsexperienceinequallyforcefulwaysfriendlyandhostiledispositionstowardsonegrouporanotherinthecommunity.
InmorerecentdecadesintheUnitedStates,ambivalencetowardsblackshasledwhiteAmericans―tofeeltense,anxiousandguiltywheninthepresenceofblacks‖(citedinSchneider282).
Inordertoreducethefretfulness,aversionanddiscomfortwithwhichtheyareencumbered,theyoftenresortto―responseamplification‖(BellandEsses1143)inwhichtheypre-disposedtostrengthenonesideoftheconflictingtendenciesortheother;embracinganextremesympatheticandacceptingattitudeorseekingdenigratingandrejectingmeasurespresentingelaboratejustificationtovalidatetheirstance.
IntheanalyticalframeworkofS.
L.
GaertnerandJohnF.
Dovidio,thisparticularformofambivalenceofwhitestowardsblacksintheUnitedStatesisidentifiedas―aversiveracism.
‖Itisidentifiedas―asubtle,oftenunintentionalformofbiasthatcharacterizesmanyWhiteAmericans‖(Dovidio834-35)whodeclaretheiradamantadherencetoegalitariangoalsandshunprejudiceasadespicabletrait.
TheydonotdiscriminateExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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289consciouslyandintentionally.
Theadoptionofavaluesystemofnon-segregationandnon-discriminationcoexistswithentrenchedyetunacknowledgedandunrecognizednegativeattitudesaboutblackpeople.
Unliketheovertlyblatantracistwhoembodiesdominativeracism,'and―actsoutbigotedbeliefs.
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[and]seekstokeeptheblackmandown‖(Kovel54),aversiveracists―believeinWhitesuperiority…moreorlessawareofit,‖butdonotexpressitopenly.
Theyaretauntedby―anintrapsychicbattle.
‖Moralobligationsattenuateracistsentimentsand―preventthepersonfromactingwronglyuponthem‖(Kovel54).
Inthisstudy,IundertaketoinvestigateStockett'sTheHelpinthelightofGaertner'sandDovidio'sconceptof―aversiveracism‖.
TheHelposcillatesbetweenaversiveanddominativeracism.
Thecoversofthetwoeditions,theAmericanandtheBritish,refertoracisminitsdualforms,theaversiveandthedominative,respectively.
ThebookcoveroftheAmericaneditionpresentsthereaderwiththreechirpingbirdsperchedonaline,and,aftergettingacquaintedwiththetext,itbecomesobvioustothereaderthattheyrefertothethreemaincharacters:thetwomaids,AibleenandMinny,andSkeeter,thewhiteheroine.
Obviously,thespectacleispremeditatedandselectedbydesign:ascreaturesofthesamespecies,thescenesignifiesequalityandoptingforbirdsinparticular,isemblematicoffreedom.
Itisachoicethatdoesnotalludetothesegregationandinjusticewhichareintegraltothenarrativesituation.
Thisimplicationisre-emphasizedthroughthephraseinscribedonthefrontflap:"Threeordinarywomenareabouttotakeanextraordinarystep.
"However,acloserscrutinyrevealsnegativeconnotations.
Thewaythebirdsarepositioneddistancestwobirdsfromthethird;inotherwords,theblackmaidsareseparatedfromthewhiteheroineofthenovel.
Infact,thebookcoverconfrontsthereaderwithdiscrepancies,andthecontradictorymessagesembodytheconflictsexperiencedbyaversiveracists.
Ontheotherhand,theracistimplicationsofthecoveroftheUKeditionareunconcealedandhenceobservable.
Itshowsalittlewhitegirlinapushchairsurroundedbytwomammiesinwhiteuniforms.
Thescenedisclosesavisionofbinarismthatdividestheworldoncolorgrounds.
Moreover,thetitleofthenarrativevisavisthecontentofthenarrativerevealcontradictorytendencies.
Thetitleallotsprominenceandmagnitudetothemammyfiguretendingtotheneedsofthewhitefamily;however,theExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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290storyisabouttheambitiousyoungwhiteSkeeterandherprojectofwritingabookabouttheblackmaidsexperienceintheAmericanSouth.
ThisisfurtheremphasizedbyStockett'sadoptionofthecharacterdrivenstorytechnique.
Infact,thediscrepancybetweenseemingandbeingisinherentinthebookcover,thetitle,thedelineationofcharacters,thestoryandthechoiceoflanguageanddialect.
―Aversiveracism‖assumesdiverseguises.
Aversiveracistsexperiencenegativereactionssuchasqualmsofdisquietudeandawkwardness.
Insteadofanexplicituseofdestructiveforcetofurtherasenseofantagonismorhostility,―aversiveracism‖ismanifestedinformsofavoidanceoftheracialgroup(GaertnerandDovidio61).
Aversiveracistsmay,alternately,engageunconsciouslyinprejudiceddiscriminationrevealingdisgustandevenfear,andyet―denyanyintentionalwrongdoingwhenconfrontedwithevidenceoftheirbiases"(Dovidio,Color8).
Aversiveracistsdiscriminateagainstblacksonlywhentheycanjustifyitonthebasisofsomefactorotherthanrace.
They―easetheirtroubledracialconsciences‖(Thurber87)bydenyinganyconsciouswrongdoing.
Mostprominently,thosewhoexperience―aversiveracism‖attempttodelineateanon-racistself-imageembodyingthedemandsforequalityandfraternity.
Anemphasisonanegalitariansocietyservestheultimateobjectiveofcreating―autopiancommunityofharmoniousrelations‖(Thurber97),andlivinginaworldinwhich―AfricanAmericansarenotangryoverpastandpresentinjustices‖(McElya3),andinwhichtheblackpeopledonotholdallwhitepeoplecomplicitintheindignitiesandhumiliationofslaveryandtheongoingracism.
AmajorstereotypeiconisthefigureoftheblackmammythatwhiteAmericansfoistedontheblackstoinducetheillusionofharmony.
Thesouthernerssoughttoconvincethemselvesdissuadeothersoftheirbenevolence,andendeavored―toredeemthemselvesforthewrongsthathadbeendone‖withexpressingpiousdevotionandsupportfor―myoldmammy‖(98)asCherylThurbermaintains.
IntheantebellumAmericansouth,Mammywasprivilegedwithapositionthatistotallydifferentfrom―theheartlessniggerbitch‖(Richardson676),thelibidinousJezebelsandthemorallydegeneratemulatto(Morton21).
ThemammyimagerepresentedthenormativeyardstickusedtoevaluateallBlackwomen'sbehavior.
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291slave-motherwhoattendsfaithfullyandwhole-heartedlytothewhitechildrenofherwhitemasterandmistress.
OneoftheearlieststockimagesappliedtoAfrican-Americanwomenisthatofmammy.
Historiographypennedbywhiteauthorsdepictmammyasdistinct.
Theentirecastofblackfemales,PatriciaMortonargues,―exceptMammyhadprofoundlyderogatory,dehumanizingcharacterization"(36).
Incontrasttofemaleslaveswhopenetrateintothesoutherners'household,JesseParkhurstenumeratesatlengththecharacteristicswhichqualifymammytoarespectablestatusinthehierarchyofslaves:Shewasconsideredself-respecting,independent,loyal,forward,gentle,captious,affectionate,true,strong,just,warm-hearted,compassionate-hearted,fearless,popular,brave,good,pious,quick-witted,capable,thrifty,proud,regal,courageous,superior,skillful,tender,queenly,dignified,neat,quick,tender,competent,possessedwithatemper,trustworthy,faithful,patient,tyrannical,sensible,discreet,efficient,careful,harsh,devoted,truthful,neitherapishnorservile.
(citedinJ.
Hall70)Theidealizationoftheblackmammyinsuchamannerisespeciallysignificant.
Itwasutilizedinthegivenculturalandideologicalclimeofthetime.
BarbaraChristianarguesthattheidentificationofmammyassuchwasa―normalpartofthesouthernfabric‖(11).
Besidesservingas―acriterionofupperclassmembership‖(Dollard82),suchrepresentationjustifiedtheeconomicexploitationofhouseslaves,explainedtheblackwoman'slong-standingrestrictiontodomesticservice,andthusvindicatedthemythofslaverysystemasbeneficent.
Onanotherscale,restrictingherphysicalspacesanddomainstothekitchenandthenursery,PatriciaMortonnotesthatmammy―offeredareadysolution…tothechallengeofhowtokeepthemiddle-classEuro-Americanwomaninherladylike'roleofhomeadministrator‖(88).
Ironically,emphasisonthestrongstructuredfigureoftheobeserobustmammyconnects―themusclesofAfricanAmericanslavelaborwiththeskeletalpowerstructureofwhitesouthernaristocracy‖(Wallace-Sanders3).
Infact,theimageoftheblackmammywasperpetuatedtoreinforcethesystemsofracialhierarchyandmalehegemony.
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292AColor-DrivenStory:TheHelpisacharacterdrivennarrativewherethe―desiresofthecharactersdrivethemtotakeactionsandtheseactionsarewhatdrivesthestory‖(Glebas22).
IttellsthestoryoftwoblackwomenAibleenandMinnyandSkeeter,thewhitegirlresidinginJackson,Mississippiin1960's.
Eachofthethreefemalesgetsherturnnarratingherstoryinthefirstpersonperspective.
Seemingly,differentfromoneanother;nevertheless,thethreeperspectivesareintertwinedinaprojectofwritingabookabouttheexperiencesoftheblackmaidswiththeirwhiteemployers.
Thisproject,entitledTheHelp'isthepivotofthewholestory.
Itfocusesonthewhitefamily'sconflictingattitudetowardstheirblackdomestichelp.
Comityandanimosityexistsidebyside.
EntmanandRojeckireckonthatthethinkingofwhitepeopleaboutracialissuesinvolves―complicatedcombinationsofassumptions,misinformation,emotionalneeds,experiences,andpersonalitytraits‖(21).
Infact,ambivalencedepictstheintricateapproachtothisconditionwhereintheconsciousendeavortodisguiseracialprejudiceismanifest.
TheHelpischaracterdriven,butthecharactersandtheirperspectivearenotgrantedequaltreatment.
Theworldofthenovelisdepictedasabinaryoneinwhichthewhitesareelevatedandtheblacksarebelittled.
Colorevokesnotionsofdifference:blackisassociatedwithdirt,laziness,stupidityandwhiteismentallylinkedwithallthatispositivelyadmirableinlife:ambition,cleanlinessandbrightness.
Accordingly,Aibleen,MinnyandConstantinearedepictedasresurrectedmimickingfiguresandatypicalreplicasofmammiesonboththephysicalandthemorallevels.
Theyareidentifiedbytheirdarkcomplexion,theirproclivitytodomesticviolenceandmoraldecadence,andignoranceofcurrenteventsandcivilrightsmovements.
Ironically,theyarecriticizedbywhitesforalackofinterestintheirfamiliesandeachother'saffectionwhereastheyservewhitefamiliesfaithfullyanddiligently.
Suchportraitisdiametricallyopposedto―theAmericanconceptionofbeauty,femininityandwomanhood‖(Jewell39).
Ontheotherhand,Euro-AmericancharacterslikeSkeeterandHillyaredelineatedasactiveparticipantsinaJuniorLeague,anAmericanwomen'sinstitutethatdoescharitableworks.
Asfoilstoblackmaidswhoarereplicasofeachother,eachcharacterisdistinguishedfromtheotherinviewsandExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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293vision.
Intheirapproachtoblacks,theyrevealanindividualisticstance:SkeeteristheaversiveracistwhileHillyisthedominativeone.
TheforkedattitudeofEuro-Americansemergesastheyshowaperseverancetocultivateequalityandegalitarianism,butinaction,theyarepronetomaintainthehierarchicalbinarysystemofthe―separatebutequal‖.
Hardlyanyattemptismadetochangeasituationwheretheonlyavailableroomforthemammyandherlikesisserviletaskswhichinturnupholdthesuperiorpositionofthewhiteladyasanadministrator.
ANurturer"withenormousbreaststhatarefullenoughtonourishallthechildrenoftheworld":Aibleen,thefirstnarrator,isamiddleagedAfricanAmericanmaidwhoworksforElizabethLeefolt.
Shehasnolifeotherthanbeingthesaint―perfect‖asexualMammywholivesonlytonurtureandtakecareofLeefolt'stwo-year-olddaughterMaeMobley.
Herasexualityisemphasized.
Itisdescribedinherownwords,"Timetotime,IthinkImightfindmyselfanotherman,onefrommychurch.
Problemis,muchasIlovetheLord,churchgoingmanneverdoallthatmuchforme.
KindamanIlikeain'tthekindthatstaysaroundwhenhedonespendingallyoumoney‖(22).
Characteristicsofunattractiveness,coarsenessandasexualityareespeciallyindemandinfemaledomesticservants―soastopresentnothreattothemis-tress'spositioninthehousehold‖(Euell672).
Aibleenisdepictedasnotinterestedinanycompanionshiporlovetoassertherasexualsaintquality;heronlyinterestisinchargesassignedtoherbyherwhitemasters.
Thus,theonlyaccomplishmentinwhichshecantakeprideistheseventeenchildrenshehasreared.
BarbaraChristian'scommentonmammyfigureisacaseinpoint;―Enduring,strongandcalm…withenormousbreaststhatarefullenoughtonourishallthechildrenoftheworld‖(11).
SkeeterdescribesAibleenasfatty,short,"littleplumpinthemiddle,butitisafriendlyofsoftness.
.
.
Herskinisdarkbrownandshinyagainstherstarchywhiteuniform.
Hereyebrowsaregrayeventhoughherhairisblack‖(78).
ThephysicalattributesdepictedshowhowthestocktraitsofmammyfiguresareinculcatedinthemindoftheAmericans.
Themammyisviewedasa―betrayalofthecommonstandardsofbeauty‖asKowalskiputsit.
Sheistheantithesisofwhitewomanhood.
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294beautytowhichthespeakerherselfabideswhichvalorizewhitenessasthemarkofallthatispureandadorable.
Tointensifythedualvisionofthemammy,aslightcomparisonisalwaysdrawnbetweenSkeeter,ononehandandAibleenandConstantine,ontheother.
VisitingConstantine,Skeeterruminatesaboutplayingwithtwolittlegirlswhowere―soblackIcouldn'ttellthemapartandcalledthembothjustMary‖(62).
Theanalogiesdisclosethewhite'sunconscioussenseofsuperioritytowardracesofdifferentcomplexions.
Inthesamevein,Minny,thesecondnarrator,isdescribedalongwithConstantineasthick-waistedand"strong.
HerskinisblackerthanAibileen'sbytenshades,andshinyandtaut,likeapairofpatentshoes‖(164).
Constantine―wasn'tjusttall,shewasstout.
Shewasalsowideinthehips‖(61)and―Herelbowswereabsolutelyblack,withadrywhitedustontheminthewinter.
Theskinonherarmsandneckandfacewasadarkebony‖(65).
Itisarigidmoldinwhichthemammyfigurestagnates.
Physicalcharacteristicsremainunchanging.
StockettmakesherAfricanAmericancharactersadoptandintimeassimilatethederogatoryvisionofthewhiteAmericanthatdenigratetheirblackness.
Aibleen'sdescriptionofMinnyduplicatesSkeeter'sabovementionedstatements.
ForAibleen,Minnyis―shortandbig,gotshinyblackcurls.
Shesettingwithherlegssplayed,herthickarmscrossed.
SheseventeenyearsyoungerthanIam.
Minnycouldprobablyliftthisbusupoverherheadifshewantedto.
Oldladylikeme'sluckytohaveherasafriend‖(13).
Likewise,Minnyspeaksofherselfas―ahundred-andsixty-fivepoundNegrowoman‖(49).
Minny'swordsaboutherselfandherhusbandaccentuatesuchdisposition.
Shecriesout,―meandthatcockroachstareeachotherdownacrossthekitchenfloor.
Hisbig,inch,inchandahalf.
Heblack.
Blackerthanme.
Hemakingacracklingsoundwithhiswings.
Igotmyshoeinmyhand‖(189).
Theblackmaidsinternalizeasenseofservitudeandasaresultareindoctrinatedinthesupremacistnotionsofthewhitemasters.
Allthis,accordingtoRobertBirt,―manifestthedeformedconsciousnessofdeformedpeople…sinceslaves―developinferioritycomplexesandadegeneratingsenseofnobodiness'―(320).
SuchademeaningvisionoftheblackselfthatdenotestheAfricanAmericans'discomfortwiththeirblackskinhasprovidedEuro-Americanswithvindicationoftheiraversionofblacks.
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295daytheAmericaneconomy,suchtwistedimageofblackwomanhoodhasdevelopedintoacentralelement.
AccordingtoElaineRichardson,―Thatsystemofbrutalpatriarchyandchattelslaveryhasbeenreduced…intopresentdayformsofstructuralracism,sexism,andculturalhegemonyandstillpowerfullyinfluencesthelivesandfuturesofBlackfemales,theirfamilies,andpeoplearoundtheworld‖(676).
AnotherdimensiontothefactthatStockettisseekingatruthfulrealistic'portrayalofthelivesofblacksemergesinthedespicableimageshedelineatesofthefamiliesofblackmaidswhichstandoutinsharpcontrasttothewhitefemales.
Itservestopromotetheconsistentendeavorto―ascribemorepositivecharacteristicstowhitesthantoblacks‖(GaertnerandDovidio85).
AcaseinpointisthedegenerationofLeroyJackson,Minny'sabusivehusbandwhodrinkstoomuchandworkstoolittle.
StockettcreateshimaftertheimageofClyde,thehusbandofDemetrie,herfamily'smaid,who―wascalledPlunk,andhewasdrunkandabusive,somuchsothatshesleptwithapistolunderneathherpillow.
'AsIunderstandithebeatthecrapoutofher‖asmentionedinaninterviewbyJessamyCalkin.
Minny'shusbandhasnoproblembeatingherinfullviewoftheirchildrenpregnantwiththeirsixthchild.
He'salsoverystupid,tellingMinny,―Youdon'tgettired.
Nottillthetenthmonth‖(406).
He'safool,asAibileendescribeshim,yetMinnyinonesectionofthenarrativesays,―He'snofool.
HeknowsifI'mdead,thatpaycheckwon'tbeshowinguponitsown‖(130).
Inanotherscene,shediscusseswithAibleenleavingLeory:―Plentyablackmenleavetheirfamiliesbehindliketrashinadump,butit'sjustnotsomethingthecoloredwomando.
Wegotthekidstothinkabout‖(310-11).
Aibleengoesfurtherandadds―Lotsafolksthinkifyoutalkbacktoyouhusband,youcrossedtheline.
Andthatjustifiespunishment.
Youbelievethatline‖(312).
Minnyreplies,―Iain'tstudyingnolinelikethat…Causethatlineain'tthere.
ExceptinLeory'shead.
Linesbetweenblackandwhiteain'tthereneither‖(312).
Theinterchangeconveysthedoubleoppressionoftheblackwoman:thewhiteracistideologydefinesherasaninferiorbeingonlyfitformenialservitude,andthepatriarchalsocietysubdueshertothevictimizationofmaleinjustice.
Throughoutthenarrative,theunfavorableandrepugnantimageofblackmalesisatvariancewiththepleasantandcommendableportraitofwhitemales.
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296thelatterevokesrespectforgenteel,hard-workingandloyalhusbandswhoneverabusetheirwives,verballyorphysically.
JohnnyFoote,Celia'sspouse,comesforwardassensitive,protectiveandaffectionate.
Inmappingoutacriticaltheoryofraceissues,ShellyP.
HarrellandAniPezeshkianpresentevidenceofsuchattitude;―Trustworthiness,intelligence,leadership,credibility,andstandardsofattractivenessareamongthecharacteristicsmorequicklyattributedtoWhiteswhenincomparisonwithpeopleofcolor‖(2).
MorethanacenturyhaspassedsincethedeclarationofEmancipationProclamationin1863,followedbyReconstructionfrom1865to1877,yetthelinesandbordersthatseparatetheAfricanAmericanandtheAmericanracesarestilltoorigidtobecrossed.
Inthe1960sAfricanAmericanshavestruggledthroughtheAmericanCivilRightsMovementtohaverightsequaltothoseofthewhitesandtoeliminateracialdiscrimination.
Amongsuchrightsarevotingemployment,housing,publicfacilitiesandgovernmentservices,citizenship.
TheysoughttobetreatedashumanbeingsnotasinferiorstereotypeiconsdeprivedoftheinalienablerightsthathadbeenerodedbythesegregationistJimCrowLaws,enactedbetween1876and1965,of―separatebutequal‖doctrineinthesouth.
Furthermore,inMississippithingswerestillthesameandthetensionbetweenthetworaceswasatitszenith.
Though,theblackswerenolongerslaves,manywerewoefullyunderpaidandabused.
Theyarestillshackledbythefettersofracialdiscrimination.
Infact,StockettignoresthefactthatduringsuchaperiodwhitemalespubliclystatedtheirdominativeracismandtheirallegiancewiththeKuKluxKlangroupsandtheirstaunchsegregationistroleinJimCrowera,andoverlookstheblackmales'struggleforequality,educationandabetterlifefortheirfamilyandtheirroleinthecivilrightsmovements.
Self-depreciationisacommondenominatorinthesectorofdomesticworkers.
WhenSkeeterisreluctanttoleaveAibleenandtravel,thelatterretorts:―GotoNewYork,MissSkeeter.
Gofindyourlife‖(437).
Despiteherself-degradingdemeanor,Aibleenembracesanaffirmativeoutlookandcherishesthebondtoherwhiteemployersandtheirchildren.
HertreatmentofMaeMobleyisapointincase;―Myearsmartingfromherlittlefist.
I'msogladshehitmeinsteadahermamacauseIdon'tknownwhatthatwomanwoulddotoher‖(19).
Surprisingly,herdispositiontowardsMinny'schildrenisharshandunaffectionate.
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297inferior,morelikesubhumananddispensableentities,whodon'tdeservethetreatmentwhitechildrenget.
Inaway,suchdualityalludestodoublestandards.
Themammy,asStockettpresentsher,prefersheradoptedwhitechildrentoherown.
Racismtakesanunexpectedturnwiththeblackmammydeforminghermentalandemotionaloutlookvisavisherownpeople.
ThomasNelsonPagenotes,―Frominfancyshewasthecarefulandfaithfulnurse,theaffectionbetweenherandthechildrenshenursedbeingoftenmoremarkedthanbetweenherandherownoffspring.
Shemayhavebeenharshtothelatter;shewasneveranythingbuttenderwiththeothers‖(citedinMorgan95).
Moreover,unlikewhitefamilymatters,theAfricanAmericanfamilialaffairs,howeverseriousandlifethreateningtheymaybe,areregardedwithindifferenceandmockery.
InspiteofLeory'sabuseofMinnyandhischildren,Aibleenreflectsonitwithsarcasm;―Tell[Leory]Isaidhebetterbehave.
OrIputhimonmyprayerlist‖(127).
Sheaddslater―Asusual,Minny'shousebelikeachickencooponfire.
Minnybehollering,thingsbeflingingaround,allthekidssquawking….
Leroy,hedon'thitMinnywhenshepregnant.
AndMinnyknowthissoIspecthey'sgonebealotmorebabiesafterthisone‖(396).
Significantly,onlyAfricanAmericanportrayedinapositivelightisalreadydeadattheopeningthenovel.
TreeloreClark,Aibileen'ssonisintroducedbyhismotherwithadmirationandprideinhisbrillianceandworth.
He―worebigglassesandreadingallthetime…[and]startwritinghisbookaboutbeingacoloredmanlivinginandworkinginMississippi‖(2).
Ironically,thepositivedepictionofTreeloreClarkisinstrumentalinservingpurposesexigentforawhite,ratherthanablack,person:SkeeterbenefitsfromTreelore'sideaofwritingabouttheblacks'experienceworkingforwhiteinJackson.
Thismaybethereasonforhisearlydeathsinceapersonwithsuchpotentialitiesendangersthepermanenceofthewhites'hierarchicalsystem,andarousesthefearsanddiscomfortofthewhiteswithhispotentialofcrossingtheboundariesandsteppingoutofthespacespecifiedtotheblackrace.
Inspiteofadmittingtoheraffectionforhim,Aibleenexpresseshermourningsparsely:―Thatwasthedaymywholeworldwentblack…Ilaidinbedandstaredattheblackwalls…Minnycameeveryday…feedmefoodtokeepmeliving‖(2-3).
Aibleendoesn'tweepherson;she―justletsaparceloftimepass‖(153),asSkeetercomments.
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298brokenbodyonthebackofapickup;―droppedhimoffatthecoloredhospital…[and]rolledhimofthetruckbedanddroveaway‖(153).
Aibleen'simperturbableportrayalofherson'scatastrophicdeathdrawshertears.
Despitethestarkcontrastbetweenthetwosituations,thesametearsfillhereyeswhenshethinksofSkeeter,―ThatnightIlayinbedthinking.
IamsohappyforMissSkeeter.
Shestartingherwholelifeover.
Tearsrundownmytemplesintomyears,thinkingaboutherwalkingdownthembigcityavenuesIseenontee-veewithherlonghairbehindher‖(437).
AibleenscriesforpartingwithSkeeterandMaeMobleybutnotformemoriesofherson.
Attheendofthenovel,AibleenisdistressedtobedismissedfromtheLeefolt'shousehold.
Shebemoans―whatI'mondowiththerestofmyday.
Therestofmylife…Iain'tbeabletogetnootherjobasamaid‖(444).
LiketheUncleTomstereotype,shebelongstothedomainofthefaithfulandloyalnegroes.
TheCookDebunksherEmployer'sAversiveRacism:Minny,thecook,isthesecondnarratorintheStockett'snarrative.
Unabletokeepemploymentbecauseofherharshmannerofspeaking,AibleenfinallyhelpsherfindworkwithCeliaFooteafterlosingherswithMissWalters,Hilly'smother.
LikeAibleen,shegetsinvolvedinSkeeter'sprojectofwritingabookaboutthemaids'experience.
Minnyisanopinionatedcharacterwhoseviewpointsinvolvetheblackandwhitepeopleinthehouse.
However,herimpressionsandsentimentstakeonimportanceandassumerelevanceonlywhensheisinvolvedwithSkeeter'sbookandgetstoknowMissCelia.
Thus,thewayMinnyhasbeencreateddisclosesmoreaboutthewhites'unrecognizedaversivenegativefeelingsandtheirbeliefsinwhitesupremacy.
Paradoxically,inthecaseofMinny,theeffacementofidentityandafaithfulconformitytoasubordinateroleplayanenablingrole.
Onlythen,thesubalternother'sviewacquirescredenceandrelevance.
AcaseinpointisthesceneinwhichMinny,allofasuddenundergoesatransformationfromanabusedandmolestedwifewhocannotdefendherselfagainstthedailymaltreatmentofherhusband,toatoughprotectorofCeliawhoconfrontsasexualpervert.
BothMinnyandCeliaareshockedtoseethenakedwhitemanpeepingthroughthekitchenwindow.
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299declares,―It'lltakeemforty-fiveminutesjusttofindthehouse…hecouldbreakthedoordownbythen!
‖(306).
Thus,shelocksallthedoorsandannounces,―Lord,IknowwhatIhavetodo.
Ihavetogooutthere.
Ihavetogethimfirst‖(306).
ShegoesoutarmedwithMr.
Johnny'sknifeandabroomthinking:―he'llhavetobeawfulcloseformetocuthim,soIgetthebroomtoo‖(306)andaskedCeliato―Lockthedoor‖andKeepitlocked‖(306).
Minnyputsherselfindangerandjeopardizesherlifeinachaseafterthatpervertwhomocksherandhurlsoffensiveracialinsultsather:―Niggercan'tcatchme!
Niggertoofattorun!
‖(307).
Whenherunsstraighttothebackdoor,shepanics:―he'sgoingtotryandbustdownthedoor‖(307).
Infact,Minnycaresaboutthesafetyofherwhiteemployersmorethanshedoesaboutherselfandaboutpeopleofherownrace.
TheblindloyaltyofmammyreachesitspeakasshedefendssteadfastlySugarfromtheslappingofhermother,CeliaFootewhobecamethebuttofjokeswhenshegotdrunkattheJuniorLeagueBenefit.
Sugartellshermother,―YeahMama,sheupchuckalloverthefloor.
Andeverybodyatthewholepartysee!
‖Then,sheturnedaroundlaughingwithalltheothers.
Minnyscoldsher,―YoushutyourmouthSugar.
‖Iyankedhertothecorner.
―Don'tyouneverletmehearyoutalkingbadabouttheladywhoputfoodinyourmouth,clothesonyourback!
Youhearme!
‖(332-34).
Afterthat,Minny―whippedaroundandput[her]fingerin[Sugar's]face‖(334).
Itisthiskindofunswervingdevotionthatthewhiteemployerseekstosenseonthepartoftheblackservant.
Infact,Minny'sstanceinthedomestichouseholddivulgestwocontradictorypersonalities.
Oneflourishesinforcefulassaultsandcombatexaltinginherservitudeandstaunchallegiancetohermistress,andtheotherlanguishesinvictimizationoverpoweredbyanabusivespouse.
Bothfacetsofthesplitpersonalityareaccommodatingandadvantageoustoheremployers.
Eachsideofthepersonalityisoperativeandinvaluablesinceitmeetsthedifferentneedsofthewhitemasters.
Thewhitemasterslulltheirconsciencebyclaimingthatthesincerityandserviledevotiononthepartofmammiesarenotinducedbyviolenceorforce,but―theirfidelitywasheartfelt‖(Wallace6).
Thebenefitismutualsincemammiesdependontheirownerfortheirshelterandwelfare.
Negativeandderogatoryfeelingslurkinthedark.
AversiveracismisoperativeconcealingtheExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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300unconsciouslyfeltdenigrationfortheblackskin.
Thewhitemastersclutchtopretensionsaboutaharmoniousrelationshipwithblacksembodiedinthemammy-masterrapport.
Forthem,itrepresentstheconvenient,idealandpeacefulinteractioninwhichthemammyiscontenttoserveensconcedintheabodeofthewhitemaster,andthemastersindulgeinthecomfortofbeingservedandtheirwealthisguardedwithvigor.
Theassumptionisreiteratedthat―theseblackwomenwerehappywiththeirlot,honoredtospendtheirdaysandnightscaringforwhitebenefactors‖(Turner51).
However,suchexpectationisoftenfrustratedandsuchinferencesandpostulationsringhollowsinceinrealitythetypeofrelationshipthatprevailsisbetweenaself-centeredanddominanttyrantwhotakesandnevergivesandinterpretsthereactionsofhisservantsintermsofwhatisusefulandservehisselfishinterestsandulteriormotives.
AccordingBellHooks,theblackmammysowedtheseedofaninveterateinstitutionthatpropagatedthemalaiseoftheunderprivilegedandtherepressed:Themammyimagewasportrayedwithaffectionbywhitesbecauseitepitomizedtheultimatesexist-racistvisionofidealblackwomanhood-completesubmissiontothewillofwhites.
Inasensewhitescreatedinthemammyfigureablackwomanwhoembodiedsolelythosecharacteristicstheyascolonizerswishedtoexploit.
Theysawherastheembodimentofwomanaspassivenurturer,amotherfigurewhogaveallwithoutexpectationofreturn,whonotonlyacknowledgedherinferioritytowhitesbutwholovedthem.
(citedinAustin432)Suchambivalentfeelingsofloveandhatredreverberateintheconflictingwhiteideologytowardtheblacks.
Mammiesaredepictedbywhitesintheimagetheydesire.
Aspectsofthemammycharactersuchasdocility,faithfulness,submissionanddependenceonthemasterswhileundertakingwithapparentwillingnessthemeaningtasksassignedtothem,allthesetraitsconsolidatethewhites'pretensionofadherencetoegalitarianvaluesandaggrandizethesenseofbeingunprejudiced.
Unconsciousnegativefeelingslurkbeneaththeadvocacyofegalitarianismandcometotheforeasthenarrativeunravels.
Ostensiblysympathetictowardsblacksintheirhistoricpredicament,thewhitespersistinpropagatingtheclaimthatmammyiscomplacentwiththesubalternroleandresignedhappilytohersubordination.
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301Theoverly-loyaldomestichelpacquiescentintheirservilityconfrontstheuprisingdemandingblackrights:thecivilrightsmovements.
Significantly,Minny'sdenunciationofoneofthecrucialhistoricfactsfortheAfricanAmericanisperplexing.
Inasarcasticmanner,shedowngradestheenthusiasticspeechesofShirleyBoonwhoholdscommunitymassmeetingstoraiseawareness.
Minnycomments:ShirleyBoongetsupinfrontofthecongregation.
Withherlipsflappinglikeaflag,sheremindsusthatthe―CommunityConcerns‖meetingisWednesdaynight,todiscussasit-inattheWoolworth'slunchcounteronAmiteStreet.
BignosyShirleypointsherfingeratusandsays,―Themeetingisatsevensobeontime.
Noexcuses!
‖Sheremindsmeofabig,white,uglyschoolteacher.
Thekindthatnobodyeverwantstomarry.
(216)MeetingswithSkeeteraremoreimportanttoherthanthestruggleforblackrightsandthejustcauseofblackfreedom.
Theneedtoparticipateinvotingralliesupstateand―eatingatacounterwithwhitepeople‖(218)aresecondaryconcernstoher.
Principalengagingtasksinvolvethechargestowardherwhitelady.
Inherperception,dutiesofmaternityarelocatedintheresidenceofhermasters.
PatriciaHill-Collinsanalyzessuchdisposition:―Byloving,nurturingandcaringforherwhitechildrenandfamily'betterthanherown,themammysymbolizesthedominantgroup'sperceptionsoftheidealblackfemalerelationshiptoelitewhitemalepower‖(72).
Gratificationmammiesderivefromperformingtheirserviledutiesisanissueofcontention.
Inasimilarvein,forAibleen,anyaspirationsforfreedomandequalityseemtodissipateanddisappearandyetherconcernforSkeeter'sfulfillmentofherdreamoverwhelmsher.
Thebookprojectratesthemaids'narrationsoftheirexperienceshigherthanthefocusonthecivilrightsmovements.
Skeeterstates,―Didyouknowwhenyouwereagirl,growingup,thatonedayyou'dbeamaid‖―Yesma'am.
Yes,Idid.
‖Ismile,waitforhertoelucidate.
Thereisnothing.
―Andyouthat…because…‖―Mamawasamaid.
Mygranmamawasahouseslave.
‖―Ahouseslave.
Uhhuh,‖Isay,butsheonlynods.
Herhandsstayfoldedinherlap.
She'swatchinthewordsI'mwritingonthepage.
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302―Didyou…everhavedreamsofbeingsomethingelse‖―No‖shesays.
―Noma'am,Ididn't.
‖It'ssoquiet,Icanhearbothofusbreathing.
(144)ThisverbalinteractiondivulgesmoreaboutSkeeter'saversiveconflictingfeelingsbetweenconsciousexplicitfriendshipandintimacywiththemaidsandherunconsciousimplicitattitudeofthesupremacistideologyofracialclassificationandcategorization.
Apparently,Skeeter'sinquiriesintoAibleen'sdreamsgivetheimpressionthattheblackmaidsaretreatedequallyandhumanely,inthesensethattheyhavetherighttodreamofabetterfuture.
However,inreality,theyareconstrainedtothedomainofblackmaidsindoctrinatedintobelievingthattheyarecontentintheirsubordination.
InherinterviewwithClairSuddath,Stockettmirrorssuchanambivalentstance―Well,Icanonlytalkaboutmyexperience.
Igrewupinthe1970s,butIdon'tthinkawholelothadchangedfromthe'60s.
Oh,ithadchangedinthelawbooks-butnotinthekitchensofwhitehomes‖.
Inmanyways,Aibleen'sreflectionsaboutanaimlesslifeandaheritageofservitudeasadestinyshehastofulfillrefertotheinnermostwishesofSkeeter.
Moreisrevealedaboutsuchanimplicitfeeling.
Skeeterexpressesherfearsofgettingarrestedforhelpinginthecoloredcivilrightsmovements.
Sheadmitsthat―ithasnothingtodowithintegration‖(145).
ThesewordsalludetoSkeeter'sdualityandambivalence;sheendorsesegalitarianismthroughwritingabookthatexposestheinjusticesinflictedonblacksandyetdisavowsanysupport,sympathyorconnectiontothecivilrightsmovementsdemandingjusticeandfreedom.
TheaversiveracismSkeeterexperiencesresultsinherordeal;theinabilitytoidentifywiththesubjectofherbookprojectandfeelonewiththeexperiencesshewritesabout.
Thiscouldleadtoproducingacontentthatlackstruthfulnessandsincerity.
Theanxietyofthebiographerandthebiographeeisarunningmotif.
Skeetersensesthethreatandthedangerthatmaybefallthemaidsbyhelpingherwritethebook.
Sheavers,―Sometimes,Idon'tknowifthiswasworthit.
Ifsomethinghappenstoyou…howamIgoingtolivewiththat,knowingitwasbecauseofme‖(436).
Later,shepacifiesExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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303herselfbyremindingherselfoftheexigencytofulfillherdreamthattoheroutweighsthedangerthatmaybefallthemaids.
Herresolutiontocarryonrepresentsapositiveamplification;'sheattemptstotransgresstheboundariesandexposethesufferingoftheblacksmaidstoself-deceivingaversiveracists.
Nevertheless,shedoesn'tprovidesolutions,doesnotgivethemanynewdirectionordeclaremorevaluetotheirstationinsocietyotherthanthatoffaithfulnesstotheirdutiesthattypifiesthedevotionofthemammy.
Themaids,ontheotherhand,valuethefreedomofspeechbutarealwaysafraid―Ofwhatmighthappen‖(436).
ThedreamtowhichtheyarealldedicatedisthatofSkeeter.
AibleentellsSkeeter―GotoNewYorkMissSkeeter.
Gofindyourlife‖(436).
ItissarcasticthatAibleenwhooccupiesthestereotypicaldomainfromthebeginningtotheclosureofthenovel,ratesnothinghigherthanSkeeter'sdream,andisnotconcernedaboutherfateorthatoftheothermaids.
SuchafaithfuldevotionechoesoneoftherecurrentimagesinAmericanliterature:itisthatofthe―GoodNegro.
‖DonaldBogleseesthatUncleTominHarrietBeacherStowe'sUncleTom'sCabinisthefirstinalonglineofgoodnegroeswho―alwaysastomsarechased,harassed,hounded,flogged,enslaved,andinsulted,theykeepthefaith,n'erturnagainsttheirwhitemasses,andremainhearty,submissive,stoic,generous,selfless,andoh-so-verykind‖(5-6).
Forwhitepeople,theyaretheheroesoftheirkind.
FaithfulblackmammieslikeAibleen,MinnyandConstantineparallelTomandauntChloewhosedevotioninformstheiractionsthroughoutthenarratedincidents.
Anyhumiliationandindignitiestowhichtheyareexposeddonotbreachtheirfaithfulcommitmenttoheirmasters.
Stockett'sblackmaidsremainfaithfulandsubmissiveandperpetuallyunswervingintheirconvictionstohelpSkeeterfulfillherdream,albeitthethreatthatjeopardizestheirsafety.
Themaids'courageousmaneuveringinhelpingthewhiteheroinewithaprojectthatimperilstheirexistenceemergesincontrastwiththeendeavorsofYuleMayCrookle,MissHilly'smaid.
HeraspirationtoeducatehertwosonstillcollegelevelisadreamthatdistinguishesYulefromtheothermaids.
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304andintellectualpotentialities.
However,amoreforcefulreasonexplainshermarkeddifference;sheisAfricanAmericanbutYuleislightskinned,(87).
AibleendescribesYuleinthefollowingwords,YuleMayeasytorecognizefromthebackcauseshegotsuchgoodhair,smooth,nonaptoit.
Ihearsheeducated,wentthroughmostacollege.
Coursewegotplentyasmartpeopleinourchurchwiththeycollegedegrees.
Doctors,lawyers,Mr.
CrosswhoownTheSouthernTimes,thecolorednewspaperthatcomeouteverweek.
ButYuleMay,sheprobablythemosteducatedmaidwegotinourparish.
(208-09)ItisphysicalappearancethatgivesYuleesteemintheeyesofothers,bothblacksandwhites.
Thisreactionreflects,aswell,thebiasofbothracesforfairskin.
Lighterskin―translatesintogreaterupwardmobilityandeasiersocialacceptance‖(EntmanandRojecki179).
Yule'sbrillianceduringhercollegeyearsandherboys'attendanceincommunitycollegedidnotqualifyherforajobotherthanthatofdomesticmaid.
PatriciaHillCollinsexplains,Prevailingstandardsofbeautyclaimthatnomatterhowintelligent,educated,or―beautiful‖aBlackwomanmaybe,thoseBlackwomenwhosefeaturesandskincoloraremostAfricanmust―gitback.
‖Withinthebinarythinkingthatunderpinsintersectingoppressions,blue-eyed,blond,thinWhitewomencouldnotbeconsideredbeautifulwithouttheOther—BlackwomenwithAfricanfeaturesofdarkskin,broadnoses,fulllips,andkinkyhair.
(89)Collins'swordsreflectthemancheanisticbinarythoughtthatgoverntherelationshipbetweenthewhitesandtheblacks.
Thenegativeimageandtheattributesofblacknessserveasafoilthatenhancesandaccentuatesthepositivefeaturesofwhites.
TheeducationYulereceiveddidnotexemptherfromthemarginalstationallAfricanAmericansoccupy.
Yulestillhasnoplaceinthewhitemetropolisorthecenter.
HerAfricanfeaturesconsignhertotheperiphery.
Likealltheothermaids,sheiscreatedtosupportthemainplotthatrevolvesaroundSkeeter'sproject.
Havingbeendeniedanyspaceamidstthewhitepopulation,Yule'sfrustrationdrivesherthieveryandshegetsarrested.
ShewritestoSkeeteradmittingherguilt,explainingthatExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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305shewillnotbeabletohelpherwithherstorybookandconfessingthatsheneverlikedworkingforMissHilly,butitwastheonlyjobavailableforher;Ihavetwinboysthatmakeitallworthwhile,though.
FortenyearsmyhusbandandIhavesavedourmoneytosendthemtoTougalooCollege,butashardasweworked,westilldidn'thaveenoughforboth.
Myboysareequallyassmart,equallyeagerforeducation.
ButweonlyhadthemoneyforoneandIaskyou,howdoyouchoosewhichofyourtwinsonsshouldgotocollegeandwhichshouldtakeajobspreadingtarHowdoyoutellonethatyoulovehimjustasmuchastheother,butyou'vedecidedhewon'tbetheonetogetachanceatlifeYoudon't.
Youfindawaytomakeithappen.
Anywayatall.
Isupposeyoulookatthisasaconfessionletter.
Istolefromthatwoman.
Anuglyrubyring,hopingitwouldcovertherestofthetuition.
(249)Thisletteraddsanotherimprobabilitytotheplotandanintricatetwisttothestoryformanyreasons:first,YulebarelyknowsSkeetertoopenupherheartdesiresforherandspelloutherplight;secondly,SkeeterisanintimatefriendofHillytrustingtheformerwithsuchinformationseemsunwise;thirdly,itisimplausibleandalmostinconceivablethatahard-workingandsmartwomanlikeYulecommitssucharashtransgressionandstealsfromwhitepeoplewithoutcalculatingthedireconsequencesofsuchdeed.
However,itistheundertoneoftheepisodethatstrikesthereader:thestereotypicaltraitofblacks'moraldecadenceishighlighted.
ItisfurthermagnifiedbyYule'sfamilyname―Crookle‖connoting―crook.
‖Infact,suchstrategyextendstothenamesoftheothermaids:Minnyhasadiminutiveconnotationasversusthenameofthemistress,Hilly,indicatingelevationandelegance.
Yuleissenttoprisonforsixmonths.
Hillyexercisesherdominativeracismanduseshercloseassociationwiththewifeofthejudgetobumpthesentenceforfouryears.
ItisexpectedofHillytoactvengefullygivenhertendencytospreadfalseaccusationsaboutMinnystealingsilver.
DeeplyaffectedbyYule'ssadstory,othermaidsdecidetotakeaction.
ByjoininginandcontributingtothebookprojectofSkeeter,theywereundertheillusionthattheycanterminatetheirsufferingthroughnarratingtheirstoriesandinscribingtheirplight.
Thebookprojectemergesasapathforsalvation.
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306changetherealityoftheirservitude;itmerelyhelpsinthefulfillmentofSkeeter'sdreamandpromotingherambitions.
GaertnerandDovidiomaintainthat―sympathywithoutadditionalfeelingsoffriendshiporrespectdoesnot…representatrulypositiveracialattitude‖(62).
TheSouthernDialectWidenstheChasm:ThoughtheregionalsouthernAmericandialectwasprevalentin1960'samongbothwhitesandblacks,Stockettstripsthewhitesofsuchadialectandallotsittoherblackcharacters.
Ironically,StockettstatesthatsheiscontentwiththeimproperspeechoftheAfrican-American―butIhavetosayIthinktheAfricanAmericanlanguageislovelyaswell‖andthatitfeltprettynaturalandrighttoherwhenshe―playedbacklikeataperecorder‖(Couric).
Thisnarrativestrategyshowsanamplificationofapositivebiastowardthewhites.
Bigotryisevidentinhermediainterviewstalkingaboutherfamily'sproperspeech:―Mygrandmotherspokesoproperly,mystepmotherspeakssoproperly,almostallofmyfriend'sparentsspokethisbeautiful,justsoutherneloquence,andI…honestly,IjustwroteitlikeIrememberedit‖(Couric).
Moreover,herviewsaboutthesouthernwhitesas―sortofthiselitecommunityofeducated,rathersophisticatedsoutherners‖disclosesfurtherevidenceaboutStockett'simplicitnegativefeelingsandassertsherbinaryvisionofthewhiteAmericansassophisticatedandworthyoftheprivilegesofthesocietyandAfricanAmericansasinferiorsub-humans.
Kowalskiwrites,―Thecommonspeechofthemammydisplaysuneducated,bossy,anddomineeringcharacter‖.
Beinguneducatedanddomineeringjustifiesthemythicalmammyiconsandlimitsanyaccesstosocietalinstitutionsofrespectability.
ThesentencesutteredbythewhitecharactersreadasthoughtheyinhabitedthenorthinsteadoftheSouthwhereasblackcharactersareunabletodirectlysaywhattheymeanwithouttheneedtoembellishitoraresorttocircumvention.
Thespeechofthemaids,likethatofJiminHuckleberryFinn;itis―markedbyextremeformsofeyedialect,whilethatofwhitesusuallyisnot;theresultexaggeratestheignoranceand/ordevianceofblackspeakersascomparedtowhite(Leonard,TenneyandDavis―Introduction"5).
TheportrayalofblackmentalityinanunfavorablelightrevealsExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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307Stockett'sfailuretotakeintoaccountthatmanyblackswereabletoimprovetheirspeechthroughjoiningblackcolleges,andtheirintegrationinwhitegrammarschoolsanduniversitiesafterthecivilrightmovement.
ThisdualstandardcontradictsStockett'sproclamationofherendeavortocrossthelineinordertoeliminateracialbarriers.
Onthecontrary,hernarrativeploysdeepenthegulfbetweentheEuro-AmericanandAfrican-American.
Stockett'sdeclarationsdivulgeconflictandambivalenceinrelationtoconsciousegalitarianvaluesandunconsciousimplicitaversiveracismtowardtheblacks.
Sheresolvessuchaconflictbystrengtheninganextremepositivebiastowardthemajoritywhites.
OnaskingStockettabouttheAfricanAmericandialectofthemaids,sherepliesIwouldn'tknowhowtowriteitdifferently.
It'sfunnywhenyou'resurroundedbypeoplewhothinksomethingisnormal,andthenyougooutandrealizethateveryonehastheirownversionofnormal.
AllIcansayis,that'showIrememberitnowinmymind.
Thedialectplaysbacklikeataperecorder.
Mymotherandstepmotherspeakveryproperly.
Ireallyenjoyedputtingtwoverydifferentvoicesonthepagetogether.
(Author)Stockett'sabovementionedwordscontradictherstatementsinalaterinterviewwithClairSuddath:OntheonehandIwonder,WasthisreallymystorytotellOntheotherhand,Ijustwantedthestorytobetold.
ButthetruthisthatIdidn'tthinkanybodywasgoingtoreadit.
HadIknownitwasgoingtobesowidelydisseminatedIprobablywouldn'thavewrittenitinthetypeoflanguageIdid.
ThefirstquoteshowsthatStockett'sbiastothemajoritywhiteswhospeak―properly‖.
Thus,theyaredepictedasseparateanddifferentfromtheSouthernblackswhogrowinthesameenvironmentandgetexposedtothesameculture.
However,inthesecondquoteshestatesthatifshehadknownthatTheHelpwasgoingtobecirculatedwidely,shewouldhavechosenanothermodeofnarration.
ThisdisclosesthatStockettwritesherbookinstigatedbyherambitionforpopularityratherthanbytheincentivetoadvocatejusticeforblackpeople.
Likeherprotagonist,Skeeter,shecravesfortheacknowledgementandExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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308admirationofherwhitefolk.
Stockett'sAfricanAmericancharactershaveadialectthatmarkstheirinferioritywhilethewhiteAmericansspeakproperEnglish'.
Thisaspectofaversiveracistattitudedeepensthegulfinsteadofbridgingitbetweenthetworaces.
Apparently,humanitarianvaluesofequityandimpartialityareacclaimedforthesakeofcirculatinganunprejudicedimage.
Theimpetusis―ariseoutofaselfishneedforthepowerfulgroupsofsocietytohaveanideaoreventrememberedorforgottenfortheirowngain,regardlessthevalidityofthepieceoftruth‖asKowalskiputsit.
Beneathamaskofbenevolence,thetrueracistprejudiceresides.
Docilepowerlessstereotypessuchas―Thenoblesavages…thegood'Christianblackslave,likeUncleTom…theever-faithfulanddevoteddemoticslave,Mammy‖(S.
Hall254)arethetypesofstockcharactersthatthewhiteswishtoseeandtolerateasnatural.
Independentmindsandrevolutionarycharactersrepresentathreattothesecurityofthestatusquothatthewhitedoctrinesofsupremacyanddominationseektostabilize.
Infact,suchimagespermeateagreatbulkofliteraryworksinwhichsympatheticandambitiouswhiteprotagonistarepairedwiththestereotypicalfaithfulblackdomesticservant.
SkeeterMiredintheQuandaryofAversiveRacismTheinsertionofSkeeterinTheHelpissignificant.
Stockettisworriedaboutthereaders'trustifshefocusesonblackcharactersonly.
Inaninterview,sheadmits,"Ijustdidn'tthinkthatwouldeverbeallowedtositontheshelf…SoIthrewSkeeterinthemixandIfeltalittlebetteraboutit‖(Southern).
Skeeterunravelsawhiteperspective.
Moreover,Stockett'sgivesvoicetoherunprejudicednotionsthroughSkeeter.
NeitherStockettnorSkeeterisabletoevadetheconflictsthataversiveracisminflicts.
Skeeteristornbetweentwotendencies:theexplicitegalitarianvaluesandtheimplicitracialdoctrinesabouttheblacks.
SuchaconflictisevidentinStockettelucidatesthequandary:AtfirstIwasn'tnervouswritinginthevoiceofAibileenandMinnybecauseIdidn'tthinkanybodywouldeverreadthestoryexceptme.
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309becauseIwantedtogobacktothatplacewithDemetrie.
Iwantedtohearhervoiceagain.
Butwhenotherpeoplestartedreadingit,IwasveryworriedaboutwhatI'dwrittenandthelineI'dcrossed.
Andthetruthis,I'mstillnervous.
I'llneverknowwhatitreallyfeltliketobeintheshoesofthoseblackwomenwhoworkedinthewhitehomesoftheSouthduringthe1960'sandIhopenoonethinksIpresumetoknowthat.
ButIhadtotry.
Iwantedthestorytobetold.
IhopeIgotsomeofitright.
(Conversation)Stockett'swordsrevealthatsheisnotconcernedaboutequityoregalitarianismasmuchasaboutherfamilialbackground―HavingbeennurturedbyanoldblackMammy'becamearequisitefantasyforanysouthernerseekingtoestablishhisorherpedigree‖(Morgan96).
Sheisoverwhelmedbytheconcernabouthowthenovelwillbeseeninwhiteperspective.
Furthermore,itisnotruminationonpastinjusticesthatinstigatesthetripbacktoSouthernJacksonin1960's.
Forher,thosemaidsrepresent―nostalgiaforabygone,idyllictime‖(Morgan96)thatemanatesbyexcavatingthepastandnarratingtheexperienceoftheblackmaidsinthedomainoftheirwhiteemployers.
TheHelpisabookprojectbyStockettaboutabookprojectbySkeeterwhoisherselfoneofthenarratorsinthetext.
SkeeterisdrawnthroughtheeyesofAibleenwhodescribesheras―realtallandskinny.
Herhairbeyellowandcutshortabovehershoulderscauseshegetthefrizzyearround.
Shetwenty-threeorso,sameasMissLeefoltandtherestofem‖(4).
Theothermaidsdepictherastheoppositeofeverythingthatcharacterizesthem.
Incontrasttothestoutdark-skinnedandcurly-hairedmaids,Skeeterisbonywithfrizzyblondehair.
TheirignorancecontrastswithherdoublemajorinEnglishandjournalismandherambitiontobecomeawriter.
Aspiringtobeawriter,SkeetersendsoffalettertoaNewYorkeditor.
TheresponseshereceivesfromtheAdultbookdivisionofHarperandRowoffersherassistanceinherproject;―Ifyoutrulyareserious,I'dbewillingtolookoveryourbestideasandgivemyopinion"(71).
SheisfortunatebecausetheMissMyrnacolumninthelocalnewspaperisinneedofafemalewriter.
Itissignificantthatthiscolumnfocusesonprovidingreaderswithhousekeepingtipsanddomesticduties.
Thisforeshadowsthenecessityofthehelpshegetsfromhermaidsandinwhichshehasnoexperience.
Ironically,sheresortstoAibleenforsupportinthedirectionSkeeterwilladoptinherwritingcareer.
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310Attheonsetofthenarrative,AibleenusesinsideinformationshehasabouthermisstodivulgeSkeeter'sdisturbanceaboutsegregationistpoliciesadoptedby―HomeHelpSanitationInitiative,‖acampaigntohaveJacksonhouseholdsinstallextraseparatetoiletsoutsidethehouse‖(8).
Itwasaningrainednotionthatblackscarrykindsofdiseasesthatarecontagiousforwhitesandthus,itbecomesdangerousifhomesdonotprovideseparatequartersformaids.
This―supportforsegregation‖(McConahay93)characterizesthetraditionalracistbeliefsaboutblacksasinfectiousandsub-human.
InherconversationwithHillyHolbrook,themostbrutalracistmemberoftheJuniorLeague,Skeeterisenraged.
ShesuggestsbuildingabathroomoutsideforHillyinstead(9).
Hilly'sdominativeracismemergesinherangrythreatstoSkeeterthatshewillbekickedoutoftheleagueifshejokesaboutthecoloredsituation.
SuchastanceepitomizesaninstanceofnegativeamplificationofresponsestominoritygroupsandechoeswhatStockettherselfexperiencedinherSoutherngirlhood.
ThoughStockettconsidersDemetrie,theirmaid,partoftheirfamily,shehadtouseabathroomoutsideofthehouse.
Shestates,―ItwasprobablythemostintimaterelationshipI'veeverhadwithsomeonewhowasn'trelatedtome.
Andyet,asmuchaswelovedDemetrie,shehadaseparatebathroomlocatedontheoutsideofthehouse"(Life).
LikeHilly,hermotherhasnegativefeelingsaboutraceandtheyareextremelyamplifiedinthenegativedirection.
TheybothrepresentKovel'sdominativeracistswhoembodytheopenflameofracialhatredandsupportpoliciesthatpromoteracialdiscrimination.
Inthesamevein,Skeeter'smotherhasstrongopinionsaboutraceandherfatherdoesn'tdaretobroachthesubject.
Inaninterview,Stockettstates,―Thereweren'tmanypeoplewhospokeaboutracesoopenly…Itwaswhispered.
Itwasmuchmorenuancedinreallife–atleastfromawhiteperson'sperspective‖(Tale).
Thus,itisnaturalforSkeeter,beingimbibedinsucharacistatmosphere,toadoptthesamepathinregardingraceissues.
ForSkeeterthoseblackgirlsreadasachildtoy.
Theyareanundifferentiatedentity;theyhavethesamefunctionofentertaining.
DemandsforsegregationextendtootheraspectsoftheAfricanAmericandailylifeactivities.
Stockettelaboratesonthematter:―MyolderbrotherandsisterandIweren'tExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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311allowedtobotherDemetrieduringherlunchbreak.
Grandmotherwouldsay,'Leaveheralonenow,lethereat,thisishertime,'…torestsoshecouldfinishherwork‖(words).
Theappealofthegrandmotherseemsinnocentofanyprejudiceandthewordsseemtobeseechahumanetreatmentofblackdomestichelp.
Nevertheless,hercommandcarriesdiscriminatorynotesindicativeofunconsciousnegativefeelings.
Themotivesofthegrandmothertopreventhergrandsonsandgranddaughtersfromsharingthesametablewiththemaidloomlarge.
Itisanacceptedfactthat―whitepeopledidn'tsitatthetablewhileacoloredpersonwaseating‖(words1).
ItisnoteworthythatwhenRaleighLeefoltdisputestheideaofbuildingaseparatebathroom,hebaseshisdisapprovalnotonhumangrounds,butbecauseofthemonetarycosts.
StockettrecollectsthatsheusedtobeghergrandparentstobeallowedtogotoDemetrie'shouse.
Theyagreedtoherappealonlyonce:―ItwasastrangefeelingtorealisethatDemetriehadanotherlife;itwasmyfirstawakeningthatshewasapersonwithanidentityoutsidetheStockettfamily‖(Tale).
Thepolarityisobvious:theAfrican-Americanmaidslosetheiridentitieswithintheiremployer'smilieuandregainthememergingasindependentlydistinctpersonalitiesoutsidethatdomain.
Infact,whiteshavemanipulatedtheentireexistenceoftheblackpeopletofittheirdemandsandservetheirselfishinterest.
Thewhitewomenworkingforcharitablefoundationsarecornered.
TheJuniorLeague,anAmericanwomen'sinstitutedoescharitableworksforthesakeofthestarvingpoorofAfrica,andyetitdeprivestheAfrican-Americansofthesupporttheyneedtoriseinthesocialscaleandreceivearespectabletreatmentasmembersofthecommunity.
Theirhypocrisystaresthemintheeyeandconfusesthem.
Overandabove,theyentrustthenurturingoftheirchildrentotheverysamepeoplefromwhomtheystayaloofandregardascarriersofinfectiousdiseases.
ElizabethLeefolt'swordsandactionaggravatesuchcontradiction.
Sherebukesherchild,MaeMobley:―Ididn'traiseyoutousethecoloredbathroom…Thisisdirtyouthere…You'llcatchdisease!
Nonono‖(95).
Infact,Aibileenfindsthisaversionintolerable;sheleavesthefamiliessheworksforassoonasthechildsheislookingafterstartstoseeherinadifferentlight.
Shedeclares,―IwanttostopthatExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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312momentfromcoming-anditcomeineverwhitechild'slife-whentheystarttothinkthatcoloredfolksain'tasgoodaswhites‖(96).
Skeeterstruggleswiththeunconsciousdenigrationofblacks.
Throughinscribingtheblackmaids'oralhistory,sheendeavorstocrossthedividebetweentheblacksandthewhites,toreaffirmheregalitarianconvictionsinnon-racistattitudes.
Underlyingracismbreaksthroughinsubtleways.
Sheexaggeratesherpositivebehaviortowardthewhitesanddevotesherutmostcaretofulfillingherambitiontobeawriter;narratingblackexperienceisonlythemeanstoreachherend.
Uponfurtherinquiryintoherattitude,Skeeteremergesasanegoistwhodoesnotcareaboutthedangerthatmaybefallthemaidsandpursueshergoalregardlessoftherisks.
Shemakesthebestuseofthesufferingofotherstopromotehercareer.
Theliterarymétierwouldprosperwiththe―Noone'severwritten…book‖(103).
HermeetingswiththemaidsinAibleen'shomearecarriedoutstealthilybecauseshedoesn'twanttojeopardizeherfamilynameifcaughtintheircompany.
Sheoncestates―I'mafraidIhavetoldtoomuch.
Iwastaughtnottotalkaboutsuchuncomfortablethings,thatitwastacky,impolite,theymighthearus‖(451).
Itwasatimewhendomestichelpcouldbefired,imprisonedorbeatennearlytodeathfortheslightestinfraction.
Theycanbeshotwithapistolandtheirhousesrepossessedorburneddown.
ConcernsabouthersafetyandherjobdisturbAibleen.
Ifcaughtnarratingherpainfulexperienceasamaidintheabodeofwhitepeople,sheriskslosingthemeagerbenefitsgrantedher.
Shewouldgetfired,withnoprospectsofanotherjob,expelledfromthehousewhichoffershershelterfromadangerousworld.
Inshort,sheadds,"Weekspassandnothing,nojobs,nomoney,nohouse"(188).
Moreover,Aibleenreckonsthatthewhitemistress,"don'teverforget.
Andsheain'tgonestoptillyoudead"(188).
Ifcaughtintheactofvocalizinghergrievances,itisarealnightmarethatsurpasseswhatanyonemayimagine;shewouldbeexposedto"theburningorthecuttingorthebeating"(188).
Hersuccinctexpressionoffearindicatesanopenflameofhatredtypicalofthedominativeracistattitudeofwhiteemployerstowardtheirblackdomestichelp.
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313faithful,blackscansurviveunscathed.
Theyareexpectedtoabidebythecultureofsilence.
Divulgingthetruthabouttheirexperiencemayexposethemtonightmarishconsequencesonthephysicalandpsychologicallevels,andtantalizationwillneverceasetilldeathterminatestheirexistence.
Aibleen'simpressivespeechdoesn'tstrikeachordwithSkeeter.
Thelatterisbentadamantlytopursueherambitionwhateverthecostis.
Thereasonisthatdeepinherheartsheregardsthemaidsasobjects.
ThisisunmistakableinherwordsaboutConstantinethemammywhocareddiligentlyforhercomfort.
Shereckons,―ThatwastheonlypartIdidn'tlikeabouthavingthetopfloorofthehouse,thatitseparatedmefrommyConstantine‖(58),and―Whenwewerekids,Mothertoldusshe'dspankusifwewentinConstantine'sbathroom.
ImissConstantinemorethananythingI'veevermissedinmylife‖(60).
Thewords―my‖and―anything‖revealthefetishizationofthemaidsandturningthemintoobjects.
Intheirfaithfuldomesticduties,themaidslosetheirtruehumanidentity.
Significantly,theirwell-honeddomesticskillsareexploitedbyslavetraderstoattractbuyers.
SkeeterrecallsonNewYear'sDayhowConstantinewouldcomeovertoworkeventhoughitwasherdayoffsothatthePhelan'sgettheirspecialgoodluckmeal.
Skeeterreminisces,―IrememberthatConstantinealwaysusedtocomebyonJanuaryfirstandfixourgood-luckpeasforus,eventhoughitwasherdayoff…Thenshe'dwashthedishesandgobackhome.
ButPascagouladoesn'toffertocomeinonherholiday,and,assumingshe'swithherownfamilyIdon'taskherto‖(375).
Physicalorspiritualdependenceonthemaidsorpeopleofcolor―ashelpers,healers,guardians,mediators,educators,oradvisors-withoutcedingactualstructuralprivilege‖givesthecare-receiver―theillusionofequalityandreciprocitywiththecaregiver‖(Morgan69)thatdissipatesonceitisputtothetest.
Skeetergrappleswiththeambivalenceregardinghermammiesandsheconstantlyoscillatesbetweenadherencetoegalitarianvaluesandracistfeelingsfromwhichsheseekstowrenchherself.
Bytheendofthenovel,thedualityisresolved.
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314Sometimes,whenI'mbored,Ican'thelpbutthinkwhatmylifewouldbelikeifIhadn'twrittenthebook.
Monday,Iwould'veplayedbridge.
Andtomorrownight,I'dbegoingtotheLeaguemeetingandturninginthenewsletter.
ThenonFridaynight,Stuartwouldtakemetodinnerandwe'dstayoutlateandI'dbetiredwhenIgotupformytennisgameonSaturday.
Tiredandcontentand.
.
.
frustrated.
(419)Beneaththeclaimedcharitablecauseofwritingthebook,shestruggleswithfeelingsoftiredness,contentmentandfrustration.
Skeeterclutchesatherprojectasamomentumthatgivesheranewdirectioninlifeandwithoutwhichherlifewillbeamonotonousroutine.
ForSkeeter,itistheegoistdreamtobeawriternotthehumanitariancauseofrevealingthemaid'sexperienceofagonythatcomesatthecoreofthestory.
ThebattleinsideheremergesinheranalysisofherreactiontoHilly'saccusationofMinnyofthievery,BecauseHillywouldhavecalledhermaidathiefthatafternoonandIwould'vejustsatthereandlistenedtoit.
AndElizabethwould'vegrabbedherchild'sarmtoohardandwould'velookedaway,likeIdidn'tsee.
AndI'dbeengagedtoStuartandIwouldn'twearshortdresses,onlyshorthair,orconsideranythingriskylikewriteabookaboutcoloredhousekeepers,tooafraidhe'ddisapprove.
AndwhileI'dneverlieandtellmyselfIactuallychangedthemindsofpeoplelikeHillyandElizabeth,atleastIdon'thavetopretendIagreewiththemanymore.
(419)Skeeter'sconsciencegrappleswiththedominativeracistideologyofthewhitesupremacists,suchasHillyandElizabeth,oratleasttopreventthemfromactingunjustly,butsherealizesthatitisadifficulttask.
Therefore,shepreferrednottoactandbehavesinwaysthatavoidtheissuethatpricksherconscience―likeshedidn'tsee.
‖Inherpassiveresistance,shedoesnotpretendthatshe―agreeswiththemanymore.
‖InspiteofherperceptibleoppositiontoHilly'sracistideology,Skeeterhasnevergivenvoicetoherintentionstomakechangesthatrepudiatethestatusquoandactuallyhelpthehelp'togetoutoftheirplight.
Herbookhas―nothadassignificantaninfluenceonpolicies,practices,andopinionsashavethedominantculturalnarrativesaboutracethatpermeatethemediaandmindsofmostAmericans‖(HarrellandPezeshkian3).
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315Amoredecisivestanceisembracedbythewhiteemployer,LouAnn.
UnlikeotherwhiteAmericansinthenarrative,whatispositivelyamplified'areherfeelingsandbeliefstowardtheblacks.
'SheruminatesaboutLouvenia,hermammy:LouveniaisthebravestpersonIknow.
Evenwithallherowntroubles,shesitsdownandtalkstome.
Shehelpsmegetthroughmydays.
WhenIreadwhatshewroteaboutme,abouthelpingherwithhergrandson,I'veneverbeensogratefulinmylife.
ItwasthebestI'dfeltinmonths…Ifyoudidwriteit,ifHilly'srumoristrue,Ijustwantyoutoknow,IwillneverfireLouvenia.
ItoldHillyI'dthinkaboutit,butifHillyHolbrookeversaysthattomeagain,Iwilltellhertoherfaceshedeservedthatpieandmore.
(418)Lou'sempathywithLouveniashowsapositiveattitudemotivatedbythedesiretopracticeherbeliefinjusticeandequalityandbytheperceptionthatblacksaredisadvantagedandthustheirconditionaspeopleburdenedwithanoppressedexperiencedemandsrectification.
LouismostimpressedbythesweetwordsaboutherkindnessforandsupportofLouveniaandhergrandson.
Lou'spromisethatshewillnotvoteforHillyasleaguepresidenthasagreatimpactonSkeeterwhostatesIlingeratthewindow.
Outside,afinerainhasstartedtofall,mistingtheglassycarsandslickingtheblackpavement.
IwatchLouAnneslipawayintheparkinglot…Thereissomuchyoudon'tknowaboutaperson.
IwonderifIcould'vemadeherdaysalittlebiteasier,ifI'dtried.
IfI'dtreatedhernicer.
Wasn'tthatthepointofthebookForwomentorealize,Wearejusttwopeople.
Notthatmuchseparatesus.
NotnearlyasmuchasI'dthought.
(418)Thus,LouAnneismorecourageousthanSkeeterwhoneverrevealsexplicitlyherstandpoint.
Significantly,thenarrativeendsonpositivenotesandconcludeswith,―Wearejusttwopeople.
Notthatmuchseparatesus.
NotnearlyasmuchasI'dthought"(451).
LouAnneregardmaidsashumanbeings;there'snot―muchseparatethem‖fromwhites.
Thisemergesanotherversionof―equalbutseparate‖theory―equalandnotmuchseparateus.
‖Despitethefactthatthefinalwordstouchonthemainissueofthenovel,thisdeclarationcomeslateandseemsineffective.
LikeSkeeter'sbook,theconfessionhasnomaterialimpactonthewhites'supremacistideologyandexpresseswishesthatbelongtothepast.
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316LouAnne'sacknowledgementofwrongdoingscomeslate;justlikeSkeeter'sstatementprofessingthat―Theonewhowasmissingthepointthistimewasme‖(418).
Suchwordsdisclosethatthewhite'sinabilityto―acknowledgetheirnegativeracialfeelingsandtheirapparentrejectionofnegativeracialstereotypes,togetherwiththeirsympatheticfeelingstowardvictimsofinjustice,convincethemthattheirracialattitudesarelargelypositive,andcertainlynotprejudiced‖(GaertnerandDovidio62).
Attheclosureofthenovel,Skeeterscrutinizessuchambivalence:―LikemyfeelingsforMississippi,myfeelingsforTheHelpconflictgreatly.
Regardingthelinesbetweenblackandwhitewomen,I'mafraidIhavetoldtoomuch.
Iwastaughtnottotalkaboutsuchuncomfortablethings,thatitwastacky,impolite,theymighthearus‖(451).
Theambivalenceofwhitestowardblacksismarkedbyfluctuationbetweenassertingthehumanityandequalrightsofblackpeopleandthepersistenceofthepredominantracistbeliefs.
SuchapproachcrystallizesthecomplexsocialnormsthatgoverntherelationshipbetweenblacksandwhitesatagiventimeandplaceInfact,Skeeter'sstorydoesnotarticulatetheunheardandmutedstoryofthemaids'livedexperienceofsufferinginasocietydominatedbywhitebinaryideology.
Shetoldherownstoryofthepursuitofthedreamofbecomingawriterthathasalwayshauntsher.
Moreover,shehasverylittleknowledgeofracialmatters,andoverlooksthefactthat―peopleofcolorhaveuniqueperspectivesonracialmatters,andtheirvoicesspeakofexperiencesinvolvingmarginalization,devaluation,andstigmatizationofwhichtheirWhitecounterpartshaveverylittleknowledge‖(HarrellandPezeshkian3).
ForSkeeter,theblackmaidsaremereflatandone-dimensionalcharacters:theyplayarolesocietydesignedforthemandresurrectstereotypeswhichareingrainedinthedomaintheyinhabit.
Shedoesnothelpthemreconstructtheculturalimagetheyinheritedorgrapplewiththeculturalexpectationsthatdeprivethemoftheirindividuality.
Insteadshepresentsmammiesasfiguresthat―becamefixturesontradecards,productlabels,andsongsheetcovers‖(Morgan87).
BothSkeeterandhermaids-storytellersaregovernedbythelawsoftheracistdomain.
Thetitle―Miss‖thatprecedesthenameofSkeeterandotherwhitecharactersisasharpreminderofprinciplethatinformstheirrelationship.
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317Thebookprojectisthefruitofthemaids'oralhistoryandSkeeteristhesolebeneficentoftheharvest.
Themaidsarebelittledastriflingstereotypesthroughthenovel.
HenryLouisGatesinstigatesrebellionagainstblacksurrendertosubjugationtodenigratingimages:IrebelatthenotionthatIcan'tbepartofothergroups,thatIcan'tconstructidentitiesthroughelectiveaffinity,thatracemustbethemostimportantthingaboutme.
IsthatwhatIwantonmygravestone:HereliesanAfricanAmericanSoI'mdivided.
Iwanttobeblack,toknowblack,toluxuriateinwhateverImightbecallingblacknessatanyparticulartime-buttodosoinordertocomeouttheotherside,toexperienceahumanitythatisneithercolorlessnorreducibletocolor.
(xv)Insteadofcondemningracialdivideandsuturingtheschismtoeliminateracialprejudice,SkeeterdeepensthegulfbetweentheEuro-AmericansandAfrican-Americans.
Shedoesnotpinpointthemalaiseorsuggestwaystoamelioratesuchcondition.
Hence,itbefitshertobelabeledaheroineoflowauthenticity.
Shehas―negativeimplicitattitudes,butdoesnotwillinglyexpressthesefeelingsandthusreportspositiveexplicitattitudes‖(B.
Hall8).
ShelackswhatMichaelH.
Kernischaracterizesas―thefourdiscriminablecomponents:awareness,unbiasedprocessing,action,andrelationalorientation‖(13).
Sincethesefourcomponentsareabsent,Skeeterisblindedtotherealityofherpolarityandherambivalentattitudebetweenexplicitegalitarianismandinherentnegativefeelings.
Inordertopleaseherwhitecohortsandavoidsocialdisrepute,sherevealsbiasforthewhiterace.
Whateverfriendlyrelationsshehaswithblacksloomslargeasfake.
Herconcernwiththefateofherprojectsupersedesallotherconsiderations.
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318ConclusionTheHelpre-appropriatesoneofthecommonestimagesintheAmericanSouth;thatofthedevoted,dependableandobedientblackmammy.
KathrynStockettenunciatesanattempttocrosstherigidlinesandsurmountthebarriersthatseparatetworacesonthebasisofcolor.
Thenarrativereverberateswithnotesofthefutilityoftheefforttoeliminatetheideologyofracialseparationandgrapplewiththeinveteratenotionsofbinaryoppositeraces.
Insteadofclearingthelinesofdiscrimination,Stockettblursthemfurther.
Infact,bothStockettandSkeeterendeavortoalleviatethepangsofconscienceaboutpastinjusticesinflicteduponblacks.
AlthoughStockettespousestheassimilationofblacksinwhiteAmericaonequalfooting,thelanguagedepictingthemunravelstheimpossibilityofsuchaspiration.
Theassimilationofblacksiscontingentuponsharingand/oradoptingthesamelanguage,valuesandmodesoflifestylewhichisfar-fetchedgiventhewaytheyarerestrictedtoaterrainoftheirownwithseparateblacks'bathroomsandtablesandinferiorchoresandtasks.
Infact,thetwistsandturnsofthetextdebunktheracisttheoryadvocatingtheseparatebutequal'slogan.
TheincongruitybetweenwhatStockettpreachesandwhatsheactuallyrecreatesinhernarrativeatteststoanattitudinaldualitytowardblacks.
Implicitly,shefeelsthattheblacksarehumanbeingsequaltowhitesineveryaspectandthuswhoshouldhavethesamerightsandprivileges.
Yet,championingthisideaandadvancingthiscausedemandsaudacity.
Shecannotvocalizeherproposalwithoutriskingtheviolationofthenormsanddoctrinesthatgovernedthewhitedominativeracistsociety.
And,forher,inordertobeacceptedandrespectedsheneedstoconformandabidebyherculturalideology.
Shefailstoliberateherselffromitsshackles.
TheHelptestifiestotheinescapableconflictthattormentstheaversiveracist.
Theauthoristornapartbetweentheconsciousunbiasedandunprejudicedvaluesandunconsciousnegativefeelingstowardtheblacks.
Toevadethefixofconfessingadefiniteanddecisivestance,Stockettiscontenttoendthenovelwhereitbegan.
Nodevelopmentoccurs:thenovelopenswithaportrayaloffaithfulandloyalblackslavesandendswithmammieswhoareuntroubledregardingtheirconditionofservility,whoarereadytosacrificetheirlivesforthesakeoftheirwhiteemployers.
ThedomainofTheHelpisExploringAversiveRacisminStockett'sTheHelpEnglishLanguageandLiteratureStudies(ELLS).
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319saturatedwiththesupremacistdoctrinesandthewhiteman'sburden'loomslargeastrenchantandcompelling.
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