The Help: Some Useful Questions!

As I expressed in my older entries, we recently watched The Help. To complete my interpretation of this movie, I'll answer some questions the teacher gave us!

1. In your own words, write what was meant by "separate but equal." How did people in Jackson, Mississippi - including the ladies of the Junior League in "The Help" - try to apply this principle?

It's clearly a very special phrase. Although they may be equal, they're still separate. Here I make the following reflection: Why would they have to be separate if they are equal? It seems to be a contradiction. For example, the toilets were different because whites were afraid they could catch an infection from the negroes.

2. Do a simple online research about Jim Crow Laws. Identify what outcomes - forced upon domestic workers - were present in "The Help".

Jim Crow Laws may be appreciated through all the movie. As this laws enacted between 1876 and 1965, the times of the movie include some of their commands. For example, blacks seemed to be something more that workers, because they have a dependance with the whites, which made them be near slaves.

3. Explore the themes in "The Help" and develop your ideas by continuing the following sentence:

"The maids in The Help took a risk by telling their stories. Even though they knew they could be shot to death in their front yards, they went ahead with the project. If people are not willing to take risks, they will never solve their problems"