The Help Summary

In the heart of Mississippi during the summer of 1962, a middle-aged African-American woman named Aibileen Clark works as a maid for a white family, caring for their child, Mae Mobley. The family's matriarch, Elizabeth Leefolt, is swayed by her friends into building a separate bathroom for Aibileen based on false notions of racial disease transmission, despite their limited finances. In the meantime, Aibileen's closest friend, Minny, loses her job as a maid due to false rumors spread by one of Elizabeth's friends, Hilly, who claimed Minny is a thief. Minny ultimately finds employment with Celia Foote, a woman married to Hilly's ex-lover, who is ostracized by the town's society.

Recently graduated from college, Skeeter Phelan, a friend of Elizabeth's, is intrigued by Aibileen's life. After landing a job at the local newspaper, Skeeter seeks Aibileen's help in writing her column. In the process, she learns about Aibileen's son, Treelore, who was penning a book about the experiences of black people working for white families before his untimely death. This inspires Skeeter to delve into the life of maids, leading her to start interviewing Aibileen in secret for her book. Meanwhile, Minny’s employer, Celia, struggles to fit in with society and hides her multiple miscarriages. Despite Minny's warnings, Celia tries to befriend Hilly, leading to a disastrous public incident.

Skeeter’s manuscript garners the interest of Elaine Stein, a senior editor at Harper & Row, who encourages Skeeter to interview more maids. Initially hesitant, more maids agree to share their experiences after Hilly unjustly accuses her maid, Yule May, of petty theft. In an act of defiance, Skeeter publishes a piece in a newsletter that results in dozens of old toilets being dropped off in Hilly's front yard. The ensuing scandal ostracizes Skeeter from the community. As a protective measure for the maids who shared their stories, Minny convinces Skeeter to include a scandalous story involving Hilly in her book. After its publication, the book creates ripples in their community, leading to both positive and negative outcomes for those involved.