Teacher Guide

The Help Lesson Plan

Introduction to The Help

Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel The Help chronicles events in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s through the eyes of three different women. Skeeter Phelan, an aspiring author who recently graduated from Ole Miss, decides to write a book from the point of view of black women who work for white families.

The Help is narrated by Skeeter; Aibileen Clark, the first woman to help Skeeter; and Minny Jackson, Aibileen’s best friend who is also eventually recruited to help. The story follows their lives in Jackson, where Aibileen and Minny work as maids and Skeeter is slowly ostracized from wealthy white society. Historical events of the civil rights movement are interwoven throughout the...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2354 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11005 literature essays, 2762 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in