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Analysis of Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan in ‘The Help” (2011)

This paper is set to take a detailed look at Skeeter in the film known as ‘The Help’. In the movie Skeeter is presented as a 22 year old white lady who has recently graduated from Ole Miss College. In addition, she is a fortunate daughter of a large scale cotton farmer at Jackson in Mississippi. Her nickname, Skeeter is given to her by her older brother due to size at birth. He thought she took after a skeeter. Upon her return from school, she realizes a degree of modifications based on the issue of racism. To be precise, she has a changed perception on the relationship between the members of the white households and afro American maids. She wonders why her society adopts a double standard notion at looking at individuals. For instance, she is surprised at the fact that the whites would not let their maids use the same lavatories as them, yet entrusting them (black maids) with the care of their children. Her attitude is heavily attributed to the absence of her favorite maid. She feels it was unfair for Constantine to leave without informing her. As a result, she suspects that something awful must have compelled her to part ways with her family. She later realizes that Constantine had been relieved off her duties upon her act of reuniting with her daughter, Lullabelle Bates.

Another change worth noting in Skeeter revolves around the nexus between education and employment. In spite of being in possession of a double major degree, she opts against looking for a job related to her specialization. She feels the degree she has earned is irrelevant. She refers to her degree certificate as a piece of paper. Instead, she opts to become a writer. Unfortunately, the only writing job available is that of a housekeeping columnist at a local company (Jackson

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