Viewing racial discrimination in Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help through Postcolonial Lens

Abstract

This study provides a spotlight on racial prejudice and discrimination through postcolonial perspective with the lens of changing trends. In the novel " The Help " Kathryn Stockett reflected on the life aspects of multicultural South American society. Though the black maids and white people are living under the same roof, the postcolonial element of white people’s superiority is expressed by the characters like Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth Leefolt.  Aibileen Clark, Skeeter and Minny Jackson are characters that changed the trend by bravely exposing their struggles of racial segregation and inequality by publishing a book " The help " at the stake of risking their lives. This made crystal clear that if the differences are not appreciated and accepted, the social gap between different races will create social deviation in the society and that can lead to extreme discriminations among people.