The Help Study Guide
How was Minnie selfless?
Minnie is selfless because she allows the pie story to be included in the book as "insurance" for all the maids, but Minnie knows by including the story, she will have a target on her back because Hilly will seek revenge.
Why did Minnie lose her first job?
Minnie lost her job because Hilly told lies about Minnie stealing.
Why is Minnie's and Celia's introduction odd?
Minnie's and Celia's introduction is odd because Aib is the one that gets Minnie the interview. Minnie needs the job, and Celia needs the maid. Both are unsure how to act around each other.
Who saves Minny from the naked white man?
Miss Celia saves Minny from the naked white man when she beats him up.
deftly
nimble; skillful; clever.
tactless
no skill; being offensive to others
skeptical
not believing
indifferent
not caring one way or another; no opinion; apathetic
obscured
not clear or plain
stingy
not generous; reluctant to spend money
certain
postive
audacious
recklessly brave; extremely bold
melancholy
sad
lethargic
sluggish; drowsy; no energy
balmy
soft, soothing, refreshing
façade
superficial (fake) appearance or illusion
conservative
traditional in thoughts, style or manner
compromised
unable to function optimally, an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.:
steadfast
unwavering; firm in purpose
Fastidious
very critical; hard to please
doubtful
with disbelief
mundane
boring, ordinary
Cumbersome
difficult
questionable
doubtful; not believing
elated
extremely happy
dilapidated
falling apart
ruefully
feeling sorrow or pity
speculated
guessed; assumed
undismayed
having courage
aided
helped
despondent
hopeless, gloomy
blasé
indifferent or bored with life
maliciousness
intentionally harmful or spiteful
Monotonous
lacking variety
idleness
lazy
Tedious
long and tiresome
What did Mae Mobley do that caused her to get in BIG trouble?
Mae Mobley uses Aibileen's bathroom instead of the "white" bathroom.
Who was killed?
Medgar Evars is killed.
What was annoying Minny about Miss Celia?
She hangs around the house all the time except when she disappears into the creepy rooms upstairs.
What does Aibileen HATE doing for Mrs. Leefolt?
She hates ironing the dress with 65 pleats.
Why did Yule May get in trouble and how long is her sentence?
She is sent to jail for four years since she stole a ring from Miss Hilly.
What is ironic about Skeeter's job?
She is writing an advice column for the newspaper about keeping house and married life, two things she knows nothing about.
What did Miss Celia do to Minny that she had never done before?
She sits at the kitchen table and eats with Minny.
What does Aibileen try to teach Mae Mobely how to do?
She teachers her how to use the toilet.
What does Mae Mobley get spanked for?
She uses Aibileen's bathrom.
Describe the scene of Celia going to the Leefolt's?
She wants to help with the benefit, but they don't let her bc they don't like her. Instead, Hilly sells her tickets.
What does Constantine look like?
80 year-old black maid
What and why are the Leefolt's building in their garage?
A bathroom for the black employees.
Why did Aib start writing?
Aib started writing when she began to write down her prayers. Her school teacher encouraged her to write when she had to drop out of school and go to work at an early age.
How does Aibileen feel about Skeeter asking if she wants to change things?
Aibileen feels Skeeter's question is ridiculous. Of course, she would change things, but she also lives in Mississippi and thinks that change won't happen.
In detail explain what changed Aibileen's mind about helping Skeeter with her novel.
Aibileen is upset about the bathroom business, she remembers how her son was treated when he was injured at work, and she does not want Mae Mobley to grow up like her mother. She decides that she will do what she can to help make a difference, even if it's just telling her story.
How did Skeeter get her name?
Carlton, her older brother, says when she is born, "It's not a baby; it's a skeeter!"
Who does Celia look like?
Celia is an attractive woman, but she wears too much make up and extremely tight clothes.
Why did Celia think Hilly hated her?
Celia thinks Hilly hated her because Celia married Hilly's former boyfriend.
Aib's worst day?
Dealing with a still-born baby; worst years: When John Dudley's father would take him to the garage to "beat the girl out of him"
Why couldn't Constantine raise her own child?
Her child was "yellow," which means she looked more white than black.
Why does Hilly get a bunch of toilets in her lawn?
Hilly has a bunch of toilets delivered to her lawn because Skeeter deliberately types the wrong ad in the paper.
What is Hilly's revenge?
Hilly stops being Skeeter's friend, has her removed from bridge club, causes her to lose other friends, and ultimately has her removed as editor for the league.
Who takes over Skeeter's editor job in the League?
Hilly takes over Skeeter's editor job in the League.
Hilly's redeeming quality?
Hilly's only redeeming quality is that she loves her children.
How would Constantine get Skeeter to listen?
How would Constantine get Skeeter to listen?
What did Skeeter's dad say that surprised her?
I'm ashamed, sometimes, ashamed of what goes on in Mississippi.
Why is November 8th such a bad day for Aibileen?
It is the anniversary of her son's death.
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Mae Mobley is caught playing black lunch counter with her brother. Basically, she is showing her brother how blacks are treated unfairly. She tells her dad that her white teacher told her about this because she doesn't want to get Aib in trouble?
What caused Mae Mobley to lay down on her bed and cry after school?
Mae Mobley lies down and cries after school because her teacher fussed at her for drawing a picture of herself with a black skin.
Why wouldn't Constantine work in a kitchen with a fan?
It would blow flour all over the kitchen.
What is Hilly's The Home Help Sanitation Initiative?
It would require all Mississippi families to build outdoor bathrooms for their black employees. Hilly seems to truly believe that black people carry diseases that can harm white people.
What happened to Louvenia's grandson?
Louvenia's grandson is beaten so severely that he is blinded simply because he used the wrong restroom.
Mississippi was said to be the MOST dangerous state for anyone seeking racial justice during the late 50's/early 60's. What was an example of something that happened when someone of color did something they "weren't supposed to do"?
People could be beaten for using the wrong bathroom.
Shame is what color?
Shame is white.
What was Miss Celia drinking and to help with what?
She's drinking a Native American potion that Dr. Tate (?) recommends to help her carry a baby to term.
What does Skeeter's look like?
Skeeter is tall, thin, and has frizzy hair. She doesn't consider herself attractive.
What does Skeeter say she does instead of saying she's visiting with Aib?
Skeeter says she is helping out at the church instead of saying she's visiting with Aib.
How did Skeeter's first date with Stuart go?
Skeeter's first date with Stuart is awful. Stuart drinks too much and is rude.
Why did Stuart go to California?
Stuart goes to California to see his ex-girlfriend. He needs closure from their relationship.
Why did Skeeter and Stuart break up?
Stuart seems to be still hung up on his ex-girlfriend.
What's the cause they are raising money for with the Benefit?
The cause they are raising money for with the Benefit is the PSCA (Poor Starving Children of Africa).
What is the story of Constantine leaving?
The story is that Constantine went to live with family in Chicago. The real story is that Skeeter's mom told Constantine that her daughter would have to leave and would not be welcome there anymore. Constantine chose her daughter.
What's the truth about LouAnne and Louvenia?
The truth about LouAnne and Louvenia is that Louvenia, her maid, has helped LouAnne with her depression, and LouAnne would never fire Louvenia.
The first book Aib asks for is?
To Kill a Mockingbird
tactful
Using skill in dealing with delicate situations
What's Constantine's and Skeeter's favorite thing to do?
What's Constantine's and Skeeter's favorite thing to do?
deception
being deceived; lied to
Agile
active; lively. 2. mentally aware.