How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Please, I want him to think I can do it on my own. I want him to think I'm…worth it." (3.99)
We aren't exactly sure why Celia can't cook and clean. Since she was raised poor, it's doubtful she had servants. Unlike the other women with maids, she wants someone to teach her to do things for herself, rather than wait on her.
Quote #2
Three years ago today, Treelore died. But by Miss Leefolt's book it's still floor cleaning day. (7.100)
Aibileen has to go to work as though it's just business-as-usual on the anniversary of her son's death. It's unlikely Elizabeth would know this, or care even if she did know.
Quote #3
"Minny, do you and Leroy ever talk about civil rights," Miss Skeeter asks. "When he comes home from work?" (14.7)
Leroy and Minny do, in fact, talk about civil rights in their home, but you can bet Minny would never reveal this to Skeeter. Ironically, she does reveal it to us, the readers of her narrative.
Quote #4
Minny had that big bruise on her arm cause that's what Leroy do when he come home from work. (14.8)
Skeeter, who doesn't always know when to stop, tries to pry into Minny's home life, which almost makes Minny drop out of the project. In the essay in the back of The Help, Stockett says that Demetrie (the person the character of Aibileen is based on) was, like Minny, physically abused by her husband (Skeeter doesn't know this about Minny at this point). Demetrie was also closed-mouthed on the subject.
Quote #5
I go on home. I don't tell Leroy what's bothering me, but I think about it all weekend long. I've been fired more times than I have fingers. I pray to god I can get my job back on Monday. (17.188)
Minny is never really, truly at home. When she's actually at her own house, she's often either worrying about something she did or said on the job, or trying to survive her husband's abuse. Maybe things will be different after she and the kids have moved out.
Quote #6
It was every day from 1941 to 1947 waiting for them beatings to be over. I wish to God I'd told John Dudley Green he ain't going to hell. That he ain't no sideshow freak cause he like boys. God I wish I'd fill his ear with good things like I'm trying to do with Mae Mobley. (22.45)
Aibileen's memory shows us that many of the so-called good southern homes are sites of hidden child abuse and terror.
Quote #7
"A lot of colored womans got to give their children up, Skeeter. Send they kids off cause they got to tend to a white family." (27.187)
Skeeter finds it hard not to judge Constantine for giving up her daughter for adoption. The exact reasons behind the adoption aren't given, but it's clear Constantine did it as a last resort.
Quote #8
"They fired Leroy last night. And when Leroy ask why, his boss say Mister William Holbrook tell him to do it. Holbrook told him it's Leroy's n***** wife the reason and Leroy come home and try to kill me." (34.135)
Hilly sees to it that Minny's home becomes a very dangerous place. There really are no boundaries between "work life" and "home life" here.