Stereotypes and Hidden Racism in the Novel "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, University of Constance (Literaturwissenschaft), course: American Literature and Culture, language: English, abstract: During the main portion of this paper I will first list the stereotypes Stockett makes use of in her novel "The Help", explain their origin and give examples from the novel. Then I will examine the negative effects these stereotypes have on the African American community and analyze the novel's content with regard to hidden racism. Finally, I will conclude by arguing whether these factors lead to the impression that the author transferred her own prejudices into the novel and can in fact be called racist.