Montana 1948 vs. The Help: A Comparative Study

The American slave trade and the aftermath of its abolishment in 1865 shaped prejudices, immorality and discrimination. Both Larry Watson’s novel Montana 1948 and Tate Taylor’s film, The Help are united in their portrayal during the Civil Rights Movement, Black Americans were facing a big racism crisis from the White people in the society. But however, not all of them are willing to support segregation. Through both texts, there is rejection perpetuated against racism by some of the White people that wanted to ignore the unacceptable social norms. These texts are alike in the respect that illustrates how fairness and justice are pursued even though it is against the law and applied social norms that White people in the community do. In juxtaposition, there are still many people in the society that wanted to extend the denunciation against the native Americans despite others in their community trying hard to bring fairness for the coloured people. Ultimately, the texts depict that post-slavery America is a history where discrimination against black Americans was entrenched.

Throughout the text of Montana 1948 and The Help, there is rejection against the racism perpetrated by some of the white people that wanted to ignore the unacceptable social norms. Both texts have similar in demonstrations of how people are willing to ensure justice by disregarding their own cultural manners. In The Help, Protagonist Skeeter does not agree with Hilly’s initiative of having to build separate toilets for the black help. She even states an argument that “maybe we should just build you a bathroom outside, Hilly.” In addition, Skeeter also feels sorry for Aibileen after she realises that Aibileen has heard their conversation, “all that talk in there today, Hilly’s talk? I’m sorry you had to hear that.” Taylor further highlights how people are trying to spread equality rather than separating. He indicates here that having a separate toilet for the black help symbolises the belief that is held in every white person to expand the segregation laws. It makes the black feel humiliated, just like how Aibileen feel when she hears Hilly talk. Just as in Montana 1948, in the sense where Gail stands up for her helper, Marie when no one else does. She believes that Marie has told her the truth about Frank’s crimes toward the Indians. She wants Frank to be punished for all his sins. “That’s not the way it works. You know that sins-crimes are not supposed to go unpunished.” In this text, Watson points out that every wrongdoing is meant to be punished doesn't matter who they are. He also depicts here that during the Civil Rights Movement, people that committed wrong acts toward the coloured people are not an important issue to be found justice for. On the other hand, Taylor’s reveal of Celia Foote’s characterisation in The Help clarifies how happy she is when there is a maid that wants to work with her. “I just want you to know I’m really grateful you’re here.” She even cooks a lot of food for her black help, Minny to say thank you. At this point, Taylor has outlined that Celia is another character that does not care about the social norms in her community. She has treated black Americans equally. He uses an eye angle shot when they are having lunch together on the same table, including Johny, Celia’s husband. This reinforces that everyone is the same no matter how different their appearance. Ultimately, both texts have shown that not everyone agrees with the intolerant behaviour that is practised in their society.

Besides that, these texts are alike in the respect that illustrates how fairness and justice is pursued even though it is against the law and social norms that the white people in the community do. In The Help, the Protagonist Skeeter wanted to stand up for the rights of the native Americans in Jackson, Mississippi by wanting to write a book from the point of view of the help. “We never finished our conversion at Elizabeth’s, about that book I want to write. I’d really like to interview you, Aibileen. I know it’s scary.” She believes that by doing this, people in her community will realise how intolerant the way they treat the native people even though “I know that it’s against the law, what we’re doing.” Taylor exemplifies here that, in being able to spread equality for everyone, there will always be obstacles but people are still wanting to do it until they succeed to bring justice. In a similar fashion to The Help, Montana 1948 displays Wesley's behaviour after realising how horrible his brother’s crimes are. He wanted to bring justice for the Indians in Bentrock, Montana by wanting to bring Frank to the court after days locked him up in his house’s basement. “He’s guilty as sin, Gail. He told me as much...Goddamn it! What could I have been thinking of?” At this climax, Watson commentary about how Wesley is back to his moral compass, realising that every crime needs to be punished and he as the sheriff of Mercer County has the responsibility to ensure law, order and justice are being upheld. In addition, Watson also indicates here that the wind in Montana symbolises the unavoidable harshness that needs to change. It makes Wesley state that there is no more reason for him to choose what needs to be punished and what needs to be kept unjust. Every crime is an offence that always has to be treated fairly. By creating narration, Taylor encourages the reader to feel that every native American has the right to live a life of freedom. So, from The Help text, the minor character, Elain Stein, agreed with Skeeter’s idea on having to write and publish the book from the black help’s point of view, even though she knows that no coloured people will dare to do it. “Well, I guess I can read what you come up with.” In the long run, both texts have displayed how justice is seeking to ensure fairness for everyone in society.

On the other hand, there are still many people in the society who wanted to extend the denunciations against the native Americans by using the power that they have, despite others in their community trying hard to bring fairness for the coloured people. In The Help, Antagonist Hilly is still with her arrogant behaviour toward the black in her community and wants to make their life more suffering, even though the book from the black help’s point of view has been published. “Maybe I can’t send you to jail for what you wrote. But I can send you for being a thief.” Here Taylor explains that, during the Civil Rights Movement, justice that is trying to be established couldn't change the social norms of the society. They can still do anything they could since they are still powerful, to expand the segregation between the white and the coloured people. Other than that, Watson also uses a low-angle camera shot here, when Hilly tries to accuse Aibileen as a thief. This showed that overall she still has the power over them. This text parallels Montana 1948, where Grandpa Hayden refuses to see Frank’s crimes as crimes and never wanted to treat the Indians with fair, despite he knows that it is possible for his son, Frank, to commit such behaviour. “Screwing an Indian or feeling her up or whatever. You don't lock up a man for that.” Watson further highlights that Grandpa Hayden uses his power that he has within his family and society to impose the crimes that are seen as unimportant, where in this case, Frank’s crimes are considered as unimportant to punish for. The notion is further reinforced when Stuart from The Help character is so mad after he found out about the book that his girlfriend, Skeeter wrote. He does not support the justice that she tries to bring up for the black help in Jackson. “Things are fine around here. Why go stir up trouble?” At this conflict point, Taylor indicates that standing up for the rights of others is never a good contribution to the American Rights Movement.

Conclusively, both authors, Taylor and Watson have proved that during the Civil Rights Movement, there are people that are willing to refuse from following the social norms to ensure equality for all but however, during that time, white people are still the powerful ones that decides what to do and what to not do in the society.