The help - kathryn stockett
Skeeter the Brave - Character Analysis
I believe my position statement encourages people to take chances without worrying over possible negative consequences. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is set in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, where racial prejudice is still extremely prevalent. As the story progresses, tension builds between the white housewives and the black house maids, and even between fellow white women. Skeeter Phelan is not the only white woman is Mississippi who feels segregation and prejudice to be unacceptable, yet she is seemingly the only one who chooses to openly reflect her true feelings. For this reason it is clear that Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is the character that best embodies my position statement, since she took a serious risk by bringing to light the racial prejudice of southern black house maids, despite knowing fully that severe social backlash would arise in response to her publication of her scandalous novel, The Help.
Skeeter Phelan took a major risk by publishing The Help, and didn't let possible negative consequences deter her from her goal. Skeeter is well aware that revealing this racism will sever any relations with the local Junior League, but she doesn’t let this stop her, which I see as very admirable. She has devoted herself to do right for the black house maids of the South, particularly Constantine, her own loving maid from when she was young. When contemplating whether or not to publish the scandalous novel, she thinks, “What would Constantine think of me?”, and this motivates her to do what is right (Stockett 281). Unlike most women, Skeeter doesn’t care about the social hierarchy of southern housewives, and makes a bold, brave move by publishing her novel. At first, Skeeter believed she had no support for her cause among the white population, but soon she began to realize that acts of bravery, including her own, had begun to develop into a nationwide movement for change. More and more people grew more militant in their efforts, including Skeeter’s own father, Carlton Phelan, who took his strong opinions to the state Senator and stated, “I’m ashamed. Sometimes, Senator. Ashamed of what goes on in Mississippi.” (Stockett 268). After the publication of the Help, more and more people begun to take chances and speak out for what they believed to be right. For these reasons, I believe Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan best embodies my position statement, having been the first white person in the story to take on an incredibly bold measure and advocate her true beliefs.
Live Your Life - Skeeter Phelan "This I Believe" Statement
My name is Skeeter Phelan, and I try my very hardest to live my own life. I believe that success, in regards to women - or any person, for that matter - is judged by your ability to choose your own path in life. In my opinion, this ability spurs from two key traits: independence and courage. If you are able to live happily, without feeling the need to comply to others’ expectations, that is true success. This, I firmly believe.
I didn’t always live by this belief, though. I grew up as part of a well-to-do family in Jackson, Mississippi. For the most part, I was brought up to be a controlling, rich white lady like my mother. My friends certainly were. Especially Hilly Holbrook, who I considered one of my best friends for quite a long time. As a young adult, I lived peacefully as a member of the Junior League. We’d gossip and organize fundraisers, and for a while, I sort of enjoyed the League. Yet, over the course of several years, I began to get sick of my conformist lifestyle. I was finished with this dainty social hierarchy of southern women, and wanted to do something that really mattered. Instead of asking how to fundraise, I began to ask more meaningful, yet somewhat controversial questions, like, “Do you ever wish you could… change things?” (Stockett 12). I couldn’t have been the only white woman in Mississippi to see the racial injustice regarding the black housemaids, but it seemed I was the only one who wanted to do anything about it. Or in that case, dared to do anything about it. It was probably because of the wretched social structure Hilly implemented in Jackson. If Hilly even thought you did something she didn’t like, you’re social life was as good as dead. Take Celia Foote, for example. She didn’t do anything wrong, besides marrying Hilly’s ex-boyfriend. Just like that, she’s a total outcast. Same thing happened to me. The moment Hilly noticed the beginnings of my integrationist beliefs, I was never spoken to the same way again by her or any of the other League members. I remember that hot day at the country club, when Hilly started questioning me really hard, antagonizing me as if we weren't ever friends, saying, “But if you’re looking at those laws, … I have to wonder, what else are you up to? (Stockett 241). From that moment on, I was officially done trying to fit in with those stupid women. I was going to publish my book, and live my own life, whether the Junior League liked it or not.
I believe my position statement encourages people to take chances without worrying over possible negative consequences. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is set in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, where racial prejudice is still extremely prevalent. As the story progresses, tension builds between the white housewives and the black house maids, and even between fellow white women. Skeeter Phelan is not the only white woman is Mississippi who feels segregation and prejudice to be unacceptable, yet she is seemingly the only one who chooses to openly reflect her true feelings. For this reason it is clear that Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is the character that best embodies my position statement, since she took a serious risk by bringing to light the racial prejudice of southern black house maids, despite knowing fully that severe social backlash would arise in response to her publication of her scandalous novel, The Help.
Skeeter Phelan took a major risk by publishing The Help, and didn't let possible negative consequences deter her from her goal. Skeeter is well aware that revealing this racism will sever any relations with the local Junior League, but she doesn’t let this stop her, which I see as very admirable. She has devoted herself to do right for the black house maids of the South, particularly Constantine, her own loving maid from when she was young. When contemplating whether or not to publish the scandalous novel, she thinks, “What would Constantine think of me?”, and this motivates her to do what is right (Stockett 281). Unlike most women, Skeeter doesn’t care about the social hierarchy of southern housewives, and makes a bold, brave move by publishing her novel. At first, Skeeter believed she had no support for her cause among the white population, but soon she began to realize that acts of bravery, including her own, had begun to develop into a nationwide movement for change. More and more people grew more militant in their efforts, including Skeeter’s own father, Carlton Phelan, who took his strong opinions to the state Senator and stated, “I’m ashamed. Sometimes, Senator. Ashamed of what goes on in Mississippi.” (Stockett 268). After the publication of the Help, more and more people begun to take chances and speak out for what they believed to be right. For these reasons, I believe Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan best embodies my position statement, having been the first white person in the story to take on an incredibly bold measure and advocate her true beliefs.
Live Your Life - Skeeter Phelan "This I Believe" Statement
My name is Skeeter Phelan, and I try my very hardest to live my own life. I believe that success, in regards to women - or any person, for that matter - is judged by your ability to choose your own path in life. In my opinion, this ability spurs from two key traits: independence and courage. If you are able to live happily, without feeling the need to comply to others’ expectations, that is true success. This, I firmly believe.
I didn’t always live by this belief, though. I grew up as part of a well-to-do family in Jackson, Mississippi. For the most part, I was brought up to be a controlling, rich white lady like my mother. My friends certainly were. Especially Hilly Holbrook, who I considered one of my best friends for quite a long time. As a young adult, I lived peacefully as a member of the Junior League. We’d gossip and organize fundraisers, and for a while, I sort of enjoyed the League. Yet, over the course of several years, I began to get sick of my conformist lifestyle. I was finished with this dainty social hierarchy of southern women, and wanted to do something that really mattered. Instead of asking how to fundraise, I began to ask more meaningful, yet somewhat controversial questions, like, “Do you ever wish you could… change things?” (Stockett 12). I couldn’t have been the only white woman in Mississippi to see the racial injustice regarding the black housemaids, but it seemed I was the only one who wanted to do anything about it. Or in that case, dared to do anything about it. It was probably because of the wretched social structure Hilly implemented in Jackson. If Hilly even thought you did something she didn’t like, you’re social life was as good as dead. Take Celia Foote, for example. She didn’t do anything wrong, besides marrying Hilly’s ex-boyfriend. Just like that, she’s a total outcast. Same thing happened to me. The moment Hilly noticed the beginnings of my integrationist beliefs, I was never spoken to the same way again by her or any of the other League members. I remember that hot day at the country club, when Hilly started questioning me really hard, antagonizing me as if we weren't ever friends, saying, “But if you’re looking at those laws, … I have to wonder, what else are you up to? (Stockett 241). From that moment on, I was officially done trying to fit in with those stupid women. I was going to publish my book, and live my own life, whether the Junior League liked it or not.
The grapes of wrath - john steinbeck
A Raisin in the Sun - Lorraine Hansberry
This fictional story about an African-American family in Chicago, Illinois is filled with risk taking. The five-person Younger family is crammed into a small, run-down apartment, and everyone has begun to stress about money problems. When Mama receives an insurance check for $10,000, pressures only increase in the Younger household. While most of the family wants to save the money and spend it wisely, Walter is convinced that the best thing to do with the money is to invest it in a liquor store. Walter dreamed of a better life, where the Youngers had all the money they needed, and knew a risk needed to be taken in order to achieve that dream. Unfortunately, his plan ends up failing. Yet, Walter's vision of the American Dream is the pursuit of fortune and a better life, and he never gives up on it. After Mama decides to buy a new home in a suburban neighborhood, Karl Lindner, a white man from this primarily Caucasian area, tries to buyout the Younger's new home in hopes that they stay in their apartment, stating, "I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities" (Hansberry 65). The book concludes with Walter rejecting Karl Lindner's buyout offer, and moving into a suburban neighborhood despite the risk of racial prejudice and violence.
The Great Gastby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
In F. Scott FItzgerald's The Great Gatsby, protagonist Jay Gatsby is constantly taking risks in search for love. His whole life revolves around Daisy Buchanan, a married woman whom he has been obsessed with since his military days. Jay rose from the depths of poverty, all the way to the point where he was one of the richest, most well-known men in New York. His extravagant lifestyle and impressive parties are all to impress Daisy, whom he lives across the water from. Gatsby devoted the majority of his adult life to Daisy, and would not be denied her love, epitomized by Nick and Jordan's conversation a few chapters into the novel, where Nick says,
"'It was a strange coincidence.'
'But it wasn't a coincidence at all.'
'Why not?'
'Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the way'" (Fitzgerald 63).
Maybe his tactics were a bit stalker-like, but it was somewhat impressive to see Gatsby invest all the money he'd ever made into the pursuit of one woman.
"'It was a strange coincidence.'
'But it wasn't a coincidence at all.'
'Why not?'
'Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the way'" (Fitzgerald 63).
Maybe his tactics were a bit stalker-like, but it was somewhat impressive to see Gatsby invest all the money he'd ever made into the pursuit of one woman.
Soldier's Home - Ernest Hemingway
The main character of this last short story, written by Ernest Hemingway, actually goes against my position statement. In Soldier's Home, Harold Krebs has returned home from war, and is completely disillusioned by everyday society. He seems afraid to live a normal life, since they, "lived in such a complicated world of already defined alliances and shifting feuds that Krebs did not feel the energy or the courage to break into it" (Hemingway 88). For instance, Krebs sought a girl for his own, but, "he did not want to work for her" (Hemingway 89). Essentially, Krebs was afraid to put himself out there into society. Without taking this risk, Harold had no chance of succeeding in the real world. Yet, he was not ready to take this risk. More so than risk itself, Krebs was afraid of consequences. He wouldn't go talk to a girl, he wouldn't go out for a job, he wouldn't even go to his little sister's baseball game, all because of the irrational fear of the real world. Without taking risks, he will stay the same frustrated young man, living single, jobless, and unhappy.