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Skeeter returns home from college
Skeeter's return to her native city represents the moment when she realizes for the first time that the environment in which she grew up doesn't fit her anymore. On one hand, her friends have different priorities form hers and don't understand her; on the other hand, her mother can't accept the fact that she has a dream, and that that dream isn't to get married. This is when Skeeter starts asking herself if she's the only one to notice the hypocrisy and injustice of the world around her. -
Home Help Sanitation Initiative
During a bridge game, Hilly asks Skeeter to publish on the local newspaper her initiative to incentivate the construction of special bathrooms for black people outside every white house. Skeeter's refusal to publish it is the beginning of the fight between the two girls, that will result in the definitive fracture of their relationship, and Skeeter's first act of rebellion against the system. -
Constantine
Constantine was the woman that raised Skeeter. The two had a special relationship, they incredibly loved each others. Thus, when Skeeter comes home and Constantine isn't there anymore, she starts asking everybody where she is, yet not being able to find her. In a situation where she doesn't feel loved and understood by anyone, Skeeter is lost without her. Her despair highlights that love is blind and that the important relationships aren't always the blood ones. -
The Idea
Talking with Aibileen—who's helping her writing the Miss Mayrna columns—and being in touch with the editor Elaine Stein, Skeeter comes up with the idea of writing a book from the point of view of the help. This is obviously essential for the entire novel, the book being the tool through which Skeeter protests against injustice and preconceiveds, hoping to trigger a radical change of mentality in her community. -
Minny gets fired
After years of working a Mss. Hilly's mother, Minny gets fired due to her usage of the bathroom inside the house (only because there was a storm outside). In desperate need of a job, she ends up at Mss. Celia Foote's house. Minny's termination is important for the story, as the "terrible awful thing" she did to take revenge over Mss. Hilly will guarantee Skeeter and the maids the anonymity necessary not to be found guilty of libel of the white families of Jackson. -
The book begins
After weeks spent trying to convince Aibileen to partecipate in the writing of the book, Skeeter finally gets to interview her. Even if at first the conversation is awkward, the two women manage to work together. This is the beginning of everything. Aibileen's agreement to cooperate with her means the attempt of the two social classes to converge and unite in the name of a more just world. -
Jule Mae gets arrested
Trying to pay both her sons' college fees, Yule Mae asks Mss. Hilly for a loan; when she refuses, Yule Mae steals a ring from her. Mss. Hilly, then, gets her arrested and put in prison for five years. This episode is the straw the breaks the camel's back; the anger and resentment following this event will cause 8 more maids to collaborate to the book: this is a breakthrough for Skeeter. -
The Benefit
The Benefit is the annual Junior League's fundraising event (leaded by Mss. Hilly); just as every other woman in the city, Mss. Celia Foote wants to go at any cost. However, the evening turns into a nightmare for her, being resented and not included by the other ladies. The event represents her ultimate surrender to participate in the Junior League and her break with the white women in town, which she finally acknowledges being frivolous and malicious. -
The Help
Finally, after more than one year of writing, the book is ready to be published. After Mss. Elaine Stein has given the approval, the book is released in every bookshop in town, and the caos rages everywhere. Even if they can't admit it without publicly ridicule themselves, Mss. Hilly and the other white ladies are furious with Skeeter and the maids. This event represents the epilogue of the story, the recognition of their hard work and sacrifices made in the name of a belief. -
New York
Skeeter receives an job offer from Elaine Stein in New York and she decides to accept it. This decision represents the first step towards her freedom from the social constructs and expectations that had oppressed her for her entire life and towards the realization of her dream. Moreover, her mother finally accepts her for the person she is; thus, this moment also constitutes their reconciliation. -
Minny changes life
After Mss. Hilly gets Leroy fired to punish Minny, she decides to escape with her children and to go living at her sister's; moreover, Mss. Celia and Mr. Jonny assure her that she has a job from then on. This represents Minny's occasion and will to change her life, to get out from the toxic relationship with her husband, even if she can't stop being a maid. -
Aibileen changes life
Seeking revenge for the publication of the book, Mss. Hilly convinces Mss. Leefolt to fire Aibileen with the accusation of theft and libel. This represents the closing of a chapter in her life, as she will never take care of another child or house again; the event also gives her the opportunity and motivation to pursue her dream: Aibileen will become a writer.
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