To Kill A Mockingbird vs. The Help
Throughout over half of the twentieth
century, racism was not only present in America, but encouraged. Many stood for
it, several out of fear for their onlookers. Inhumanity was considered the
norm. Many didn’t care what was happening in the country, rather, they sat back
and watched, so long as it didn’t interfere with their little bubble. But then,
there were the ones that cared. The ones that tried to put a stop to it. They
fought hand and foot, in any way they could. Movies were made, comics were produced,
and books were published. Two such books were “The Help” and “To Kill A
Mockingbird”. These two books are both attributed with being relatively
responsible in the change of hearts of men and women everywhere, for giving us
a very human perspective on racism. The two books are clearly compatible to be
compared. But just how alike are they? How different?
To begin with, both novels present
the same basic point. Racism should not be continued or upheld any longer.
They’re both from the perspective of a tomboyish girl who goes by a nickname
(Scout and Skeeter) who were both raised by a black maid in place of a mother
figure (Calpurnia and Constantine). Both novels have a character who is
discriminated for no true reason (Arthur Radley and Miss Celia). Both novels
have the setting of a small, southern town, during a period of time when racism
was a big issue. They both feature a black character who, despite doing nothing
wrong, is falsely accused, as well as an antagonist that takes matters into
their own hands when they go awry. They both present the story from a very
real, human perspective. Also, both stories say that everyone, regardless of
any stereotype, has the potential to be kind.
So yes, the stories are quite similar
in many ways, however, the stories are also strikingly different. First of all,
the narration. “To Kill A Mockingbird” is from the view of a child who’s yet to
mature, and still has an innocent world view, while “The Help” is from the
perspectives of adults who’ve become mature. Also, the setting is somewhat
different. “To Kill A Mockingbird” takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, a kind of town where everyone knows everyone, in the 1930's. "The Help" takes place in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960's around the time of the civil rights movements. And while there are accusations in both books "To Kill A Mockingbird" was for rape, but "The Help" was for theft. They are also centered around a different plot base. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is about a court trial and the time prior, as well as after, the trial of a black man accused, "The Help" on the other hand, is about black maids working for white families. In "To Kill A Mockingbird" there are several major children characters, but in "The Help", there are none. Finally, while they feature the same basic point, the presentation is very different. While many believe "The Help", is more lighthearted, I honestly disagree. I believe "The Help" is much more morbid, as well as dark, with themes of miscarriage, domestic abuse, estrangement from parents, and many more subjects. It is less innocent, possibly because it is narrated from adults that have seen the world for what it is. "To Kill A Mockingbird", is, by my belief, the more innocent version, while still being dark at times. This is mainly because it is narrated by a child.
In the end, both stories serve their point very well, and bring a very human perspective to racism, whether you want the morbid version, or the lighthearted one, both stories are amazing takes in the matter, ans should be read by all to better instill the belief that this country was founded upon, that all men are created equal.
