Introduction
Throughout history, U.S. society has suffered from significant inequities against various parts of its population. Remnants of this phenomenon continue to make a significant negative impact on the nation through racism, stereotypes, and discriminatory behavior, as individuals lack opportunities due to past decades of adversities. The Help by Kathryn Stockett provides an extensive overview of that phenomenon in the context of the 1960s culture.
During the period described in this book, one’s rights were apparently dictated by those with no intention of establishing a modicum of fairness for all citizens. This novel can serve as a backbone for crucial discussions in students’ social studies courses. By using this book, educators can expose the challenges of inequality, mental health, and equal opportunities faced by women and minorities in the U.S., and the reasons behind these challenges, as portrayed by Stockett.
Discussions About Civil Rights and Social Issues
This novel explores in depth people’s struggles for civil rights, helping high school students better understand the concept of freedom in the United States. Jackson, Mississippi, where the author places her characters, quickly devolves into protests that are poorly protected by law enforcement after a member of the KKK shoots Medgar Evers in front of his family (Stockett 345). While the course of the second wave of feminism in the country took a different path, similarities remain. As the characters in Stockett’s novel, women during that time understood their place in society and began to actively shift public opinion toward this position by any means possible (Ng and McGowan 174).
Therefore, this book can be used to enlighten students about how the country implements challenging structural reforms to protect people’s rights better. Social issues, such as the one the writer of the novel focuses on, require an extensive knowledge base of their history and impact to identify a beneficial path forward. It is challenging for educators to frame the entirety of knowledge about social issues for K-12 students because curricula lack sufficient materials (Evans 25). This book can effectively alleviate this problem. Social activism in which Skeeter, Aibileen, and other maids participate offers insight into political movements (Stockett 367). It provides this information through the lens of fictional characters placed in situations that were common across the country only a few decades ago.
Inequality and Stereotypes
Students can explore how discrimination and prejudice worsen the quality of life within the country. The issues stemming from the mass mistreatment of a significant portion of the population are tracked throughout the novel. Stockett reveals that she wrote the book to help people realize that “not that much separates” people, yet many individuals make it appear as if one’s gender, race, or other distinct quality separates them from the rest (784).
This aspect wore down many U.S. citizens during the 1960s and had long-term adverse consequences. The change did not occur until women began to question their role in political and social discourse (Han and Heldman 11). Students can be taught about the adverse impact of disinterest in others’ hardships and how to address them through the example of the main character’s pursuit of better living conditions in the novel.
Another example of this notion is shown in Aibileen’s experiences at the library, where she could not find any books about people of color (Stockett 272). Civil rights movements, as portrayed in Stockett’s book, can become a tool for the betterment of society if one gains a grasp on the power they represent. This piece can help people whose lives are affected by prejudice find strength and prevent further discrimination.
Additionally, the author creates a clear picture of mistreatments stemming from stereotypes, allowing students to perceive the harmful effects of this behavior. Opportunities for women were lacking due to the widespread perceptions of their role in the household (England et al. 6991). This attitude was shared through all available channels to reinforce its validity. Stockett writes how Eugenia has “been told what to believe about politics, coloreds, being a girl” (115). Her thoughts were not her own, as men imposed their beliefs on her without giving her a chance to form her own.
Students can also learn about segregation through this novel, as it connects to social justice and equality. Stockett writes about people who “despise the whites that meet with the coloreds to help with the civil rights movement” (258). She shows that the negative sentiment within society runs deeper than it might seem from the outside perspective. Without an appropriate source, teachers may be unable to construct a curriculum that would not draw attention to auxiliary problems. In such a case, their role is to encourage students to take a different perspective, which may lead to a discourse regarding political parties (Pace 171).
It is vital to alleviate this tendency by all means possible, which the novel in question can do. The book reveals that the power to speak up is challenging to obtain in such circumstances (Menggalomo et al. 11). Therefore, it is essential to consider The Help as a valuable resource for educators who strive to change their pupils’ worldviews. These topics must be incorporated into high school curricula to enhance students’ comprehension of the issue.
The Author’s Portrayal of Mental Health Issues
The Help possesses sufficient material to discuss mental health issues experienced by people whose voices are silenced in the United States. Individuals who are constantly subjected to discriminatory practices and attitudes are more prone to experiencing problems with self-esteem, behavioral disorders, anxiety, and other adverse conditions (Williams and Etkins, 194). These difficulties with integration in society stem from social institutions, where such attitudes are deeply embedded in their frameworks.
The Help reveals the detrimental effects of this treatment. A constant barrage of threats and berating comments assaults the main character and the people around her. The pressure Aibileen faces in her attempt to write about her experiences builds throughout the novel, leading her to break down under stress (Stockett 348). The way others behave around her and other individuals of color causes her immense anguish, which puts her life at risk. In fact, violence in this book is not only physical but also mental.
Conclusion
In summary, The Help can be used to teach high-school students about segregation, racism, people’s struggles for civil justice, and the toll these issues have on one’s mental state. It presents a convincing, easy-to-grasp narrative for pupils in the intended age group and offers valuable insights into the societal rift caused by inequities and prejudice. The shift from real-world examples to fiction may yield better results and better focus students’ attention on the discussed problems. Furthermore, the author explores these issues from several perspectives, allowing most individuals to connect with their struggles. The modified curriculum may pave the way for broader social shifts in the future by expanding young people’s understanding of the values of equality and diversity.
Works Cited
England, Paula, et al. “Progress Toward Gender Equality in the United States Has Slowed or Stalled.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117, no. 13, 2020, pp. 6990-6997.
Evans, Ronald W. Handbook on Teaching Social Issues. 2nded., Information Age Publishing, 2021.
Han, Lori C., and Caroline Heldman. Women, Power, and Politics: The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States. Oxford UP, 2023.
Menggalomo, Nilia R., et al. “Racial Discrimination as Seen in Stockett’s The Help.” Journal of English Language and Literature Teaching, vol. 5, no. 1, 2021, pp. 10-18.
Ng, Eddy S., and Rosemary A. McGowan. “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Views of Women from the Second‐Wave Feminist Movement.” Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences / Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l’Administration, vol. 40, no. 2, 2022, pp. 173-187.
Pace, Judith L. Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2021.
Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. Penguin, 2009.
Williams, David R., and Onisha S. Etkins. “Racism and Mental Health.” World Psychiatry, vol. 20, no. 2, 2021, pp. 194-195.