Literature and Writing Quotes in The Help

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"He read this book called Invisible Man. When he done, he says he gone write down what it was like to be colored working for a white man in Mississippi." (6.181)

Treelore was inspired to write by Ralph Ellison's classic novel, Invisible Man. Skeeter gets the idea for the book that eventually becomes Help after hearing about his book from Aibileen.

Quote #5

We all know about these laws, but we don't talk about them. This is the first time I've ever seen them written down. (13.89)

The Jim Crow laws Skeeter pilfers from the library show the darker side of the written word.

Quote #6

"We ain't… we ain't doing civil rights here. We just telling stories like they really happen." (14.169)

Although Aibileen herself finds writing the most effective way to tell stories, she's also alluding to the importance of oral storytelling.