Poo Pie

Throughout the book, it is evident that Minny lacks trust in white folk. Working around Miss Hilly shined light on how corrupt women which hired maids were. After being accused of steeling, Miss Hilly manipulated Minny into thinking no one around town would hire her; attempting to hire Minny for herself. I believe it was completely justified for Minny to take the course of action which she did. Miss Hilly needed a taste of the crap she spits out of her mouth everyday.


In an article I have read about revenge and the people who seek it, it is believed that those who seek revenge tend to be those who are motivated by power, by authority, and by the desire for status. In Minny's case, I do not believe she is quote-on-quote "motivated by power," but rather challenges power. By taking revenge on a white woman, I think Minny feels a sort of satisfaction in knowing she demeaning a woman who is believed to be superior.

Morally and ethically speaking, Minny should not have gone to the extreme she had. According to the comparison between ethics and morals, ethos are the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a group or culture derived from society. On the contrary, morals are principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct. Morality is ultimately a personal compass of right and wrong, derived from an individuals beliefs. Although it was not morally along with ethically sound for Minny to feed Miss Hilly feces, doing so allowed Minny to retain her dignity after being disrespected time and time again. The moment that gave Minny pure clarity was when she once and for all told Minny off. "I told her to eat my shit!" (398) Once those words parted from her lips, I believe Minny felt a sense of freedom. She felt dignified and free.

Jim Crow

To most young adults, a colossal risk would sneaking out of your window late at night to see the boy of your dreams. To Skeeter, however, a risk she is willing to take is talking to the help and disregarding the Jim Crow laws. The moment Skeeter decides to write about the help, she is putting herself, along with anyone cooperating, in danger. Skeeter does not know that what she's doing is illegal until she steals a book from the library with all the laws. 

Between 1877 and the mid 1960's, Jim Crow laws (also known as black codes) were implemented throughout, but not limited to, Southern states. These black codes impeded on the civil rights of colored people. From the very beginning of the book, Hilly had an issue with Aibileen using the white bathroom. According to this article, one Jim Crow law included the following..

Toilets: “Every employer of white or negro males shall provide for such white or negro males reasonably accessible and separate toilet facilities.” 

Jim Crow laws were degrading to all those affected. Even after Miss Elizabeth had a bathroom built for Aibileen only, Aibileen held her pride and stayed the strong woman she is. When Skeeter originally asked Aibileen to be apart of her interview, Aibileen refused. She knew by talking to a white woman, she is putting herself and those around her at risk. Eventually she saw that talking was the only way to bring about change. Both Skeeter and Aibileen are courageous women for taking this huge risk. Disobeying Jim Crow laws may have resulted in imprisonment, or death. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions of Aibileen and Skeeter scream for equality.