Examples Of Prejudice In The Help
‘How has the director, Tate Taylor, used filmic techniques to convey prejudice in The Help?’
Prejudice was commonplace in Jackson Mississippi, America during the 1960’s. African Americans in particular were discriminated against with the racist Jim Crow laws that saw them oppressed as ‘separate but equal’. This idea of prejudice towards African Americans was thoroughly explored throughout the course of director Tate Taylor’s filmic text The Help. However, racial prejudice is not the only form of discrimination in the text; gender inequality is also highlighted through filmic techniques such as camera angle, costume design, lighting, and music.
The Bridge Club Scene, in which the educated Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan tells of her new job …show more content…
Charlotte had just been appointed state regent by the daughters of America and was determined to please them. Characterisation is used to show Charlotte as a non-prejudice woman unlike the others. When she was admiring her medallion she is depicted quickly showing it to Constantine with a wink, giving the impression that she cares about her. A close-up shot on the president of the association was used to show the common disapproving view of the group at a maid ‘so old and slow’. As Constantine’s daughter Rachel arrives it is clearly shown through the dialogue between them that Charlotte knows and loves Rachel, but is still unwilling to let her be seen by the daughters of America who held great prejudice. When Rachel enters anyway is shows the audience that she is used to being welcomed with open arms and reinforces the idea that Charlotte is not racist. This idea wavers when we see her fire Constantine and send them both away when the president stands to tell of her disapproval. The expressions of both Constantine and Charlotte are focused on with close-up shots to show Charlotte trying to convey her regret, and Constantine’s horror at being cast out. The way Constantine clings to the door depicts her love for Charlotte but when the door is firmly closed, the deal is sealed. This scene’s filmic techniques are used to show that not everyone shared the same
Prejudice was commonplace in Jackson Mississippi, America during the 1960’s. African Americans in particular were discriminated against with the racist Jim Crow laws that saw them oppressed as ‘separate but equal’. This idea of prejudice towards African Americans was thoroughly explored throughout the course of director Tate Taylor’s filmic text The Help. However, racial prejudice is not the only form of discrimination in the text; gender inequality is also highlighted through filmic techniques such as camera angle, costume design, lighting, and music.
The Bridge Club Scene, in which the educated Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan tells of her new job …show more content…
Charlotte had just been appointed state regent by the daughters of America and was determined to please them. Characterisation is used to show Charlotte as a non-prejudice woman unlike the others. When she was admiring her medallion she is depicted quickly showing it to Constantine with a wink, giving the impression that she cares about her. A close-up shot on the president of the association was used to show the common disapproving view of the group at a maid ‘so old and slow’. As Constantine’s daughter Rachel arrives it is clearly shown through the dialogue between them that Charlotte knows and loves Rachel, but is still unwilling to let her be seen by the daughters of America who held great prejudice. When Rachel enters anyway is shows the audience that she is used to being welcomed with open arms and reinforces the idea that Charlotte is not racist. This idea wavers when we see her fire Constantine and send them both away when the president stands to tell of her disapproval. The expressions of both Constantine and Charlotte are focused on with close-up shots to show Charlotte trying to convey her regret, and Constantine’s horror at being cast out. The way Constantine clings to the door depicts her love for Charlotte but when the door is firmly closed, the deal is sealed. This scene’s filmic techniques are used to show that not everyone shared the same