Journal Five Reflective Entry

Reflective Entry

I believe the major theme of this novel was that of social rules and segregation in society, as well as the idea that love has no boundaries.  I think these two ideas and concepts were greatly what the author was trying to get across and teach us as readers.  I believe that the purpose of this novel was to make a person think about where social rules and lines stem from.  This novel showed the progression of the understanding the characters have that God has not set in these boundaries from creation; they have developed from society’s views and beliefs on the matter.  This is depicted in the treatment Mrs. Celia Foote has towards Minny and the friendly nature and quality she has in her relationship with Minny, and the lengths of which she goes to protect her.  It is also shown in the affection and love Mae Mobley holds towards Aibileen because of the kindness Aibileen showers her with.  The idea that love has no boundaries is also seen in the same ways as well as the relationship Skeeter develops with Aibileen as well as many of the other maids.  In fact, at the end of the novel once the book is published by Skeeter, the preacher at Aibileen’s church asks her to pass on a message to Skeeter; “We love her like, like she’s our own family” pg. 458. 

An area of the “real world” where these themes are prevalent are in the recent tragedies with the disaster in New Orleans.  Although one would hope that in today’s modern day and society that social segregation and racial discrimination did now exist, however that is not the case in some places on this earth.  During the summer of 2005, a disaster took New Orleans and much of the world by shock.  However that is not what I am going to discuss.  As part of the aftermath of this devastation, there was much negative and radical behaviour by many white residents in the New Orleans area.  There was a movement by many people with extreme views that it was now “open” season on any black residents and that they would openly shoot at them in the reasoning that they were protecting their homes and land and possessions from these people that were “looting”.  This, much like themes explored in the novel, is segregation based purely on race and ignorance and ideas that people have created in their minds because of racial discrimination.  Very similar to the thought that was brought up in the novel that black people carried different diseases, was the idea that simply because a person was black, they were looters and thieves. 

During the same time however, the other theme of the novel The Help that love has no boundaries, this was also demonstrated in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.  There were many stories of people of both races going out of their way to try and help each other out and save and rescue each other’s lives.  These actions show the theme explored in the novel being that regardless of race, hatred can be overcome with love and support and love can be found anywhere. 

Both of these themes were explored in the novel, and can be found in many areas of “the real world” however I believe these two I have discussed to be recent and largely significant.