English 1A PacketBook Title: The Help

Directions: Please complete the following graphic organizer either typed or handwritten. If you
need more room & you are handwriting, please use the back of this page.

Ch. or Page Numbers: Chapter 1-5

Dialectic Journal: Choose at least TWO quotations that you think are important or you have a
question about and write about why it is. These quotations may later be utilized in your essays.
Follow MLA for in-text citations.

Quotation (Evidence from the text)

Interpretation (Analysis/Synthesis)
This illustrates . . ., I wonder . . ., This
connects to . . .

But the help always know (Stockett 5).

Do you ever wish you could change
things? (Stockett 12).
Youre not going to college so your mamas
friends dont have to use the same bathroom as
the maid (Stockett 18).
Mae Mobleys dancing a hot-foot jig trying to
get her mama to notice her (Stockett 31).
And I know she aint saying what she want a
say either and its a strange thing happening
here cause nobody saying nothing and we still
managing to have a conversation (Stockett
35).
I mean, kids is the only thing worth living
for (Stockett 40).
Ive never had this choice before (Stockett
42).
Remember one thing: white people are not
your friends (Stockett 46).
Because aint that white people for you,
wondering if they are happy enough (Stockett
57).
My eyes drift down to HELP WANTED:
MALE . . . On this side of the page, Percy &
Gray, LP, is offering Jr. Stenographers fifty
cents more an hour (Stockett 69).

This illustrates the gist of the book. Reading this

quote, I somewhat predicted that this book is the
embodiment of the eyes of colored maids.
I wonder exactly why Miss Skeeter asked the help if
she desired change. Change is actually a very vague
concept, so why?
This connects to the indifference of the Leefolts to
their daughter, Mae Mobley.
Miss Leefolt seems very distant to her own child,
which illustrates the priorities of the household. Mae
Mobley simply wanted attention and that shouldnt
be considered as a nuisance since she is only a child.
I wonder exactly what the connection between
Aibileen and Miss Leefolt is.
In contrast to Miss Leefolts views on children, Miss
Celias views illustrate the values between the two
heavily contrasted white women.
This illustrates the position of the help.
Minny being the independent, sassy help she is, her
mother teaches her the number one rule that white
people are not friends. Despite that when Miss Celia
seems to defy every assumption of white women.
This connects to the issue of white supremacy in
America even as of today. Of course in my opinion,
I believe that America has changed but rather than
change it feels like theres just a thicker layer to
cover up the mess.
This illustrates the sexism in the working class
which still exists even as of today.

Discussion Question: Write three or more questions that you think are important to think about.
Consider the themes of the course as you create your questions. Use your Critical
Thinking/Blooms Taxonomy hand-out to help you develop a variety of questions.

1. Has there ever been a time when you wanted change? When and why?
2. What are your opinions on Miss Leefolt and Miss Celias contrasting views on
children?
3. Even as of today, women are paid less than men in the same field. As a member of
this country, what are you opinions?

Locate one outside reference that helps

you understand the text better. (You may
copy and paste here or attach to the
back.) CRITICAL: You must include
evidence from the reference PLUS citation
PLUS connection to the text.

Give a brief plot summary here where you note 2 to 4

sentences per assigned chapter or entry. OR Follow a
character throughout the text and take notes here about plot,
interaction with others, personality, appearance, etc.

I understand that racial segregation and variety of

perspectives between two races and class is an
important factor in this book, but what caught my
interest was when Miss Skeeter mentioned the unequal
pay between men and women in the same field.

Out of all the characters I have read so far, Aibileen,

Minny, and Miss Skeeter, I had a lot of interest for
Minny. She is the epitome of the fighting will for basic
human rights. Considering her obtrusive behavior to
her prior client, Miss Walters, she is a very independent
colored woman who is not afraid to speak out her
opinions. But she is also very daring, speaking of the
incident with Miss Hilly. What I also realized was that
she was not just a ranting entertainer but an intelligent,
proud adult. She is also aware of her physical
appearance and carries herself with confidence enough
to speak up. It doesnt matter what the color of your
skin is or what sex you are, because when it comes to
voicing out your opinion many do not. Or should I say,
people choose not to speak their minds. The white
women portrayed in this book smile even if they are
uncomfortable or angry. As mentioned by Aibileen,
Miss Leefolt trying to keep up behind [Mister Leefolt]
with that smile that mean she aint happy (Stockett
17). Contrast to this, Minny boldly, even if sassily,
states her thoughts.

It wasn't until the passage of the Equal Pay Act on

June 10, 1963 (effective June 11, 1964) that it became
illegal to pay women lower rates for the same job
strictly on the basis of their sex. Demonstrable
differences in seniority, merit, the quality or quantity
of work, or other considerations might merit different
pay, but gender could no longer be viewed as a
drawback on one's rsum.
Brunner, Borgna, and Beth Rowen. "The Equal Pay
Act." Infoplease. Infoplease. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

Personal/Social/Professional Connection to the text OR Connection to what I have

learned before: Another way to think about it: is there something in the text that reminds me of
something?
(Comments to be no less than 3 sentences)

The question Miss Skeeter asks Aibileen: Do you ever wish you could change things? particularly caught
my attention. Also, the reason why Miss Skeeter prompted it. Miss Skeeter was constantly pressured to get
married or to find a man, but all she wanted was to not be pressured by such matter. She even indicated to her
mother if it was possible for her not to get married at all, which resulted with an overdramatic pained reaction.
Though it may be on different situations, I, too, was once pressured to become a dentist. My Asian parents,
particularly my dad, wanted me to aim and achieve a career that would have a large income in terms of monetary
value. It was written in the stars that I am not medical material. I had dreams to become an artist. We fought for
years and soon I was winning. But I can never forget the blunt, if not, brutal words my parents said to me when I
was aiming for my dreams.