Owls Be Reading discussion

If you want to discuss further, then answer some questions and we can see how answers compare!

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?

3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?

4. How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and that it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?

6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?

7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?

8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hairshellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?

9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?

10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white?

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?
- Oh man. I loved Aibileen. She felt so real; you could just tell that life had really thrown her around, and even though she seemed so tired and world-weary, she still never lost sight of the truth and didn't fall into delusions of thinking the people she worked for really cared about her.
Miss Celia was one I really felt for; the whole (view spoiler)[miscarriage (hide spoiler)] ordeal really ripped my heart out. I couldn't imagine going through that once, let alone multiple times.

2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
- People do it all the time. It's interesting to me to be answering these on the morning after the election, knowing what will be moving into the White House in a few months' time. Women can be fantastic mothers and still extremely flawed as people, and unfortunately the children won't realize it until they're older. I think Hilly was really just stuck in her way of life and, being as privileged as she was, couldn't see beyond herself and recognize what needed to change. If she could see it, she was afraid of it.

3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?
- I despised Skeeter's mother because she saw no reason for things to change at all. And I know it was the time period, but she was SO worried about who Skeeter would marry when Skeeter clearly had little interest in that. Parents who can't find it in themselves to support their kids leave a bad taste in my mouth.

4. How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
- I'd say quite a bit of it. Susan B Anthony is one of the suffragettes we remember most fondly, but she was also a racist. George Washington was an incredible leader for our country but he owned slaves. These both coincide with the time periods the people lived in. It doesn't make it right but we have to recognize the time period as a factor.

5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and that it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?
- That was unnerving but it really felt to me like she was doing what she thought would appease her mother.

6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?
- Yes.

7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?
- I think if Aibileen had stayed she would have been able to teach Mae Mobley to be better. I don't blame her for walking away, though. Racism and hate for others is completely taught.

8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hairshellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?
- I'm really low-maintenance as far as looks. I remember for junior prom I actually went to a salon and got my hair and nails done.

9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?
- I think the way Aibileen speaks lends a lot to her characterization. I don't have any quotes ready to share, but I remember getting a vivid picture of her through the way she spoke to others, with that indomitable dignity she has.

10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white?
- Probably subconsciously or unconsciously, for the most part. Microaggressions are still huge in today's society as well.

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?
- Hell yes. Best part of the whole book. Hilly was going to have her thrown in jail because she "stole" something. She deserved what she got.

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

Like Ashley, I head over heels loved Aibileen. But for this one, I am going to say Minny. I love someone with attitude, and Minny's character was the kind which would never run out of it. I have to love her for that.

2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?

Again, I'm in perfect agreement with Ashley. I may not be a mother myself, but I do believe there is a strong bond between mother and child that no one can quite explain, and it excludes everything else. So maybe you can be a flawed person in real life, but that doesn't influence your motherly duties.

3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?

I think she really falls between the grey area. I feel like she is a victim of the times. She feels for Constantine, but when push comes to shove she goes with what she has been taught, what she knows, and what society has taught her to be right. It's a shame she can't put aside those ideals for Skeeter, her own daughter. But she really just seems blinded by the present day she lives in.

4. How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

A lot of it. I know I am shaped by the time I live in as well. I wouldn't say all of it, because there are just so many factors to what makes a person who they are. But the time really matters.

5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and that it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?

It is scary to think that. Especially as it makes you wonder about other marriages, and whether love truly makes you blind...

6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?

Very much so. But when it comes to topics that matter and distrust is involved, you have to be very careful when making a leap of faith. She chose the right one.

7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?

I think Mae Mobley may have been able to escape the racist mindset with Aibileen by her side. I really do think racism is taught, and once people stop teaching it, it will no longer be a problem anymore.

8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hairshellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?

I'm not really that much into beauty. I've tried putting on mascara and all, but that's as ridiculous as it gets for me...

9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?

I think it's just the peace inside Aibileen. She sees everything, but she doesn't hate. She sees above this. Her voice is so strong in this novel, and so real that there is no room to question her wisdom and grace.

10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white?

I'm not sure about this one. I'm sure there is racism today, but I haven't thought hard enough about scenarios such as this one to be able to give a conclusive answer.

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

Oh yes, she deserved it! I don't think I would have ever had the guts to do something like that myself. But it seems a small amount of revenge for all the revenge Minny might have done. So yes, totally deserved and go for it!