Is The Help Based On A True Story? The Help Movie Explained
by Rajalaxmi
Updated Feb 25, 2023
Is The Help Based On A True Story?
Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel, The Help, captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. The book tells the fictional story of Skeeter, an ambitious writer in the 1960s who publishes a book with multiple stories of black maids. While the book is purely fictional, reports have suggested that one character in the novel is based on a real person.
Although Stockett has always maintained that The Help is a work of fiction, a maid named Abilene Cooper filed a lawsuit against the author in 2011, months before the movie adaptation of the novel was released. Cooper claimed that her life story was the inspiration behind Aibileen Clark’s character in the book.
Cooper had worked as a maid for Stockett’s brother and had babysat her daughter once. She sued the author for the unauthorized appropriation of her name and image. The character Aibileen’s name is similar to Cooper's name, and her life story in the book mirrors Cooper's life. Cooper had lost her son before Stockett's first child was born, which is a similarity that she claimed as well.
However, Cooper's attempt to sue the author was not successful, and there has not been any legal proof to support her claim that Aibileen’s story was based on her life. Therefore, The Help remains a work of fiction.
While the story is fictional, The Help remains a poignant tale that shines a light on the harsh realities of racism and segregation in 1960s America. It raises questions about the power dynamics between black maids and their white employers and the challenges they faced during a tumultuous time in history. Despite being a work of fiction, The Help has helped to bring awareness to the injustices faced by black Americans during that period.
The Help Movie Explained
"The Help" is a powerful novel by Kathryn Stockett, later adapted into a film, that sheds light on the struggles of African-American maids during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi, where segregation is still deeply ingrained in society, and African-Americans face discrimination and limited opportunities. The novel highlights the resilience and bravery of African-American women, who worked as maids for white families, and faced numerous challenges and injustices on a daily basis.
One of the key figures in the novel is Medgar Evers, an African-American civil rights activist and leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Mississippi. Evers played a critical role in fighting for African-American rights, and his work was instrumental in bringing about change in the state. However, his activism also made him a target, and he was assassinated in 1963, just a few months before the March on Washington.
Through the stories of the maids, "The Help" paints a vivid picture of life in the South during the 1960s. We see the daily struggles of African-Americans, the indignities they suffered, and the fear and violence that permeated their lives. Despite these challenges, the maids in the novel show incredible strength and resilience, and their stories are a testament to the power of hope and determination.
"The Help" also explores the relationship between the white families and the maids who worked for them. While there are moments of kindness and compassion, the novel also highlights the deep-seated racism and prejudice that existed in many white households. The maids were often treated as second-class citizens, and their contributions to the household were ignored or dismissed.
How To Watch The Help Movie?
"The Help" is a critically acclaimed drama movie that tells the story of a young white woman, Skeeter, who returns to her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. Skeeter aspires to be a writer, and she is determined to expose the harsh realities of racial segregation in the South. She enlists the help of two black maids, Aibileen and Minny, to write a book that chronicles their experiences working for white families.
The film was based on the bestselling novel by Kathryn Stockett and was directed by Tate Taylor. "The Help" was a commercial and critical success, grossing over $216 million worldwide and receiving four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
The movie is available to stream on a variety of platforms, including Tubi - Free Movies & TV, Hulu, Prime Video, Spectrum TV, Vudu, Redbox, and Apple TV on your Roku device. Don't miss the chance to witness the captivating performances of Viola Davis, Emma Stone, and Bryce Dallas Howard in this timeless drama that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
The Help Movie Wiki
"The Help" is a movie based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett. The movie was directed by Tate Taylor and was released in 2011. It tells the story of African American maids in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
The movie focuses on the character of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, played by Emma Stone, who returns to Jackson after graduating from college with dreams of becoming a writer. Skeeter is disturbed by the treatment of the black maids in her community and decides to write a book that tells their stories.
Skeeter convinces two maids, Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), to share their experiences with her. Aibileen is hesitant at first, but Minny is more willing to share her stories. The three of them form a bond as they work together on the book, but they must keep their project a secret as it could lead to serious consequences.
"The Help" explores themes of racism, discrimination, and segregation in the South during the 1960s. The movie shows how the white people in Jackson, including Skeeter's own mother, treat the black maids as second-class citizens. The movie also shows how the black maids form a tight-knit community of their own, relying on each other for support and comfort.
The performances in "The Help" are exceptional, with Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer both receiving Academy Award nominations for their roles. Emma Stone also delivers a standout performance as Skeeter, showcasing her character's growth from a naive young woman to a confident writer who stands up for what she believes in.
Is The Help Based On A True Story - FAQs
"The Help" is a movie based on the bestselling novel by Kathryn Stockett, set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi. It tells the story of three women - Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, and Skeeter Phelan - who form an unlikely bond as they work together to challenge racial segregation and discrimination in their community.
The movie stars Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, Emma Stone as Skeeter Phelan, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly Holbrook. Other notable actors in the movie include Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, and Sissy Spacek.
The movie was directed by Tate Taylor.
"The Help" was released in the United States on August 10, 2011.
While the characters and plot are fictional, "The Help" is inspired by the experiences of real-life African American maids who worked in white households during the Civil Rights era.