Even though Minny is stubborn and brusque and I really wished she would be nicer to Celia, I was surprised when I realized I was anxious to see her name at the top of the next chapter. Her home life is horrific but I think her story has hope. And I'm just waiting for the next opportunity to drop one of her choice phrases into my lexicon. Maybe "she call the roll [at] the crazy lady club" (13) or her sweater's "so tight it'd make a hooker look holy" (223). We'll see.
From whose perspective did you most enjoy reading?
-Kelly
I was most eager to read about Minny's story, as well, but I think it had more to do with Celia's compelling storyline. In the end, I still felt I didn't know enough about how things ended for Celia, a character I truly loved. As far as Minny goes, I loved seeing her soften some toward white people. In some ways I couldn't understand her complete hate for whites when the person who treated her the worst in her life was black (her husband).
ReplyDeleteThe narrator I loved the most as a person was Aibileen with the way she taught children, had her prayer list (I may start doing that), the way her friends and community trusted her, the way she trusted Skeeter.
You're right, Carol. Minny wasn't necessarily my favorite character - I was mostly interested in finding out more about Celia. She was the sweetest. I can forgive her the too tight sweaters.
ReplyDeleteI liked that people hoped to get on Aibileen's prayer list because she had a clear connection with God. She was that good. She actually inspired me to be more patient with my kids. I was wondering, why do you think she would leave a family when the children were 9 or 10 years old?
I thought Aibileen said that the kids stopped being "colorblind" around that age. Sounds like she knew her calling and knew the window in which she had influence. Just thinking about it teaches me another thing I like about her--Aibileen knew herself and had a straightforward life as a result.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you... Minny was fun because of Celia! I just thought she was fabulous and I just kept thinking.... why won't these ladies just give her even a little bit of a chance. I mean don't you love those people in your life that are nothing like you, challenge you in new ways, open your eyes to a new way of being? I just think these women found validation in those that were similar and never understood that profound validation that comes from friendship with those are anything but the same as you. It made me think of people in my life (past and present) that I need to be more grateful for their differences with me and realize everyone could stand a little "celia" in their life. Like you Kelly, I just died reading about Minny's descriptions of her outfits.... especially the one she wore to the benefit! Bwahhhhh! I just think dang, that girl has character, and aren't ya glad when those kind of people show up at your events and actually give it a little spice????
ReplyDeleteYes! I love variety in my life. I love the people who give it spice. Who wave their freak flag, if you will. ;)
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