Eugenia In The Help

In The Help by Kathryn Stockett, the author uses point of view, tone, and flashback to depict Eugenia’s attributes of egalitarianism, bravery, and innate wisdom, as well as her purpose in the story. Eugenia, also known as Skeeter, is an educated and well-off daughter of a plantation owner. She formulates her own ideas against prejudice while surrounded by racism in the people closest to her: her childhood best friend, her boyfriend, and her own mother. Throughout the book, she strengthens her views, and resists white supremacy. Skeeter Phelan’s ideas against prejudice spark change in Jackson through her opinions, voice, and recollections. From the outset of the novel, Skeeter's compassionate tone toward black people, as well as her egalitarian

As Skeeter faces moral dilemmas in the story, she recalls lessons from Constantine. She was more of a mother to Eugenia then Mrs. Phelan, who has a hard time looking past Skeeter’s awkward exterior. These flashbacks of Constantine guide Skeeter as she writes her novel, but she is unable to talk to her birth mother for fear of her response. When Skeeter gives in to Hilly and decides to add her “Home Help Sanitation Initiative” to the newsletter. “All [she] can think while [she’s] typing is, what would Constantine think of me” (10, 332)? This guilt or sense of betrayal toward Constantine not only leads her to mistype the initiative, but also depicts her respect and love of Constantine. Her early exposure to the intimate details of Constantine’s life allows her insight into racism from the perspective of the minority, while her skin tone allows her the education and power to promote change. Skeeter models Constantine’s innate wisdom through the flashbacks she experiences in times of moral dilemma. Kathryn Stockett develops the character of Skeeter through point of view, tone, and flashback to create a character capable of thinking