The Help

Good Spirits is a novel by Kathryn Stockett, which has been published under the original title The Help 2009. The novel is about African-American housekeepers who work in households of white families.

The successful debut novel, the author has been published in 35 countries.

Summary

The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in the 60s of the 20th century. Told it is primarily from the first-person perspective of the three protagonists Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter.

The African-American housekeeper Aibileen is, concerned with various white families the household and looks after the children of the families. Your first place she takes over after the fatal accident of her son Treelore, it leads into the house of Leefolt family. There Aibileen cares mainly about little daughter Mae Mobley.

Aibileens belligerent friend Minny, which bears every now and then with their employers, has been terminated from their employment relationship 19. Minny's last employer was Mrs. Walters, mother of Hilly Holbrook. Hilly is an important person for the social life of the city of Jackson, chairman of the Junior League and arch-nemesis of the three protagonists.

Eugenia " Skeeter " Phelan is the daughter of a famous and wealthy family that owns several cotton fields and in the fields and in the house employs several African-American employees. Skeeter has just finished college and dreams of becoming a writer, while her mother was dreaming of that Skeeter is getting married.

Skeeter is surprised by the sudden disappearance of the housekeeper Constantine, from which it was drawn and to which it has a close relationship. While Skeeter was in college, Constantine wrote her several letters and in her last letter she announced a surprise to return to Skeeter. Skeeter's family told her later that Constantine moved with her family to Chicago. That would not believe it and tried to find more information about the reasons of Constantine's disappearance Skeeter. But no one wants to talk to her about the former domestic workers.

Skeeter noticed that the African- American housekeepers are treated differently than the white house staff. She decides, with the help of the editor Elaine Stein to write a book in which she wants to show the social situation and the discrimination of these men and women. Skeeter tries to contact the housekeepers and to gain their trust, you will get a good information. Together with Aibileen and Minny begins Skeeter to write the book. The three women struggle against racism and prejudice in the minds of the people of Mississippi.

Figures

• Eugenia " Skeeter " Phelan

Skeeter returns after completing her studies at the University of Mississippi back to her hometown of Jackson. There she tries to find a job and yourself. This means that it recognizes the unequal treatment of African-American domestic workers. Skeeter admires her mother and her friend Hilly and but afraid to disappoint them. She is taking a big risk to be discovered, as she begins to write the book about the experiences of African-American housekeepers.

• Aibileen Clark

Aibileen is the housekeeper of Skeeter's friend Elizabeth Leefolt. It is a serious, shy and thoughtful person. Every night it writes on their thoughts and prayers in a diary. The death of her son Treelore has embittered them and motivates them to help Skeeter with her ​​book. The common goal of the two women is to overcome the deep-seated racism in Mississippi.

• Minny Jackson

Minny is Aibileens girlfriend. Your self-righteousness and her sharp tongue they brought several times already in trouble and they thus also lost quite a few positions. After she loses her job at Mrs. Walters, mother of Hilly, Aibileen gives her a job with Celia Foote. Minny is married and expecting her sixth child.

• Hilly Holbrook

She is friends with Skeeter and Elizabeth since childhood and president of the Junior League of Jackson. When she and Skeeter studied at the University of Mississippi, she shared a room until Hilly takes off to get married. Hilly's husband is running for a seat in the Senate and Hilly tries to enforce that all homeowners to set up a separate bathroom for their African-American domestic workers. Hilly like controlled people in their environment and bullying those who when they have a different opinion.

• Celia Foote

It is redrawn to Jackson and is Minny as a housekeeper. Celia can lead not have its own budget and also do not cook. Her husband Johnny is not to learn that she has hired Minny. Celia suffered several miscarriages, they also conceal her husband.

• Elizabeth Leefolt

She is friends with Hilly and Skeeter and employer of Aibileen. It is heavily influenced by Hilly. Elizabeth has difficulty in establishing a maternal relationship with her daughter Mae Mobley, why care Aibileen to Mae Mobley especially. Later she gets a son named Ross.

• Charlotte Phelan

Demanding and domineering mother of Skeeter. She is suffering from cancer, but has not come to terms with dying. Skeeter it was never possible to meet the high expectations and desires of their mother.

• Stuart Whitworth

Hilly gives a date between Stuart and Skeeter. Stuart is the son of a senator. He is charming and nice, but when he learns of Skeeter's book, he broke off his engagement to her.

• Leroy Jackson

Leroy is Minny's husband. He is often drunk and violent towards his wife.

• Constantine Bates

Was housekeeper in the home Phelan. She pulled on Skeeter.

Filming

The novel was made ​​into a film under the title The Help ( film ) in 2011. Octavia Spencer won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Minny Jackson.

Book editions

• Good spirits. From the English by Cornelia Holfelder - of Tann.btb, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-442-75240-9.
• As E-Book: Publishing E -Books of the Random House Publishing Group, 2011 ISBN 978-3-641-05940-8 Munich. .