The Help

Historical Context and Significance

The Help is a novel written by Kathryn Stockett and first published in 2009. The story unfolds in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, and explores the interactions between white families and their African American maids. The novel addresses themes of racism, inequality, and the civil rights struggle in America, emphasizing the complexities and possibilities of crossing racial and social boundaries. The Help received widespread acclaim for its contribution to the discussion of racial issues in the United States and was adapted into a successful film of the same name, which reinforced its historical significance and impact on the cultural perception of the civil rights era.