Similarities Between The Help And Macbeth

Macbeth and The Help explore the topic of deception and focus on how things are not what they seem through characters’ influences, personality, and society. To start, both works show influential characters that deceive others through manipulation. Shakespeare shows how language is a tool of deception through the witches influence over Macbeth, meanwhile Stockett shows how ignorance is used for deception through Hilly Holbrook’s influence over Elizabeth. Furthermore, the two works show characters who are perceived as good people but are evil in reality. Macbeth pretends to be innocent of Duncan’s murder so that he can declare himself king and maintain the position. Hilly is friendly leader of the Junior League so she can be popular and have

Both characters are double faced; they use their charm to prove their perceived innocence, then they unleash their true evil acts towards those who stand against them. In Macbeth, the double-faced thane hides his intentions of killing the king by welcoming him into their castle, drugging them and killing the king while he is unconscious. Macbeth kills Duncan when he is most vulnerable. “False face must hide what the false heart doth know”(1.7.82). Macbeth deceptive personality allowed him to declare himself as the new king while remaining unsuspected of Duncan’s murder. Macbeth maintained his position as king by pretending to be innocent and intimidating those who opposed him. Likewise, Hilly tries to gain power over the ladies in the Junior League through popularity. Hilly says and does whatever she can in order to be well-liked by others: “With other people, Hilly hands out lies like the Presbyterians hand out guilt...” (Stockett 103). Hilly’s amazing ability to lie to others contributes to why she is such a powerful and influential woman in Jackson. However, Hilly uses her power to shun those who oppose her in order to maintain her position. Macbeth and Hilly’s deceptive personalities demonstrate how people are not who they appear to

Shakespeare shows the illusion and reality of Scotland during Macbeth’s reign with this quote: “Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath / Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not” (5.3.27-28). The people of Scotland praise Macbeth as their king out of obligation but are not loyal to him. Scotland has the illusion of being ruled by a powerful king but in reality, it is drowning in the corruption and tyranny of Macbeth. Stockett similarly demonstrates the theme when Skeeter comes to the realization that the segregation between blacks and whites are a facade of the dark truth of institutionalized racism. Skeeter starts to see her world in Jackson a whole lot differently: “Hilly raises her voice about three octaves when talking to black people. Elizabeth smiles like she's talking to a child, although certainly not her own. I'm starting to notice things” (Stockett 57). The author gradually reveals how blacks are oppressed by whites through intimidation, injustice, and obstruction. Segregation in Jackson is perceived as people living “separate but equal” lives, however, it is actually institutionalized racism. Both authors compare illusions and reality to give the message to the reader that appearances are often unlike reality. While, Macbeth focuses on the kingdom of Scotland during Macbeth’s reign, The Help focuses on