The Help

[ClairBear226]

I had a similar thought, but I can't say that it bothered me. I don't necessarily write and speak the same way. I've lived in multiple different states, and carry over certain words from Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and the Chicago area. In general, I have a flat "non" Midwestern accent. But I wouldn't write the words I say with inflection any differently than anyone else would. Since the author was trying to fabricate speech, rather than writing style, it didn't bug me. I would have preferred "You are kind", but that may be the mom in me. ;)

 

[Sweetpea76]

Her character just seemed more eloquent, and with her trying to teach Mae Mobley important life lessons, it just seems that she would have spoken better than that. Especially since she was teaching her a mantra she wanted her to constantly repeat. I get the impression that the dialect was a bit gratuitous on the part of the author. I could see it for some of the other characters, but not for one who was a prolific writer and who helped edit a book.

 

[JustBe]

I cried every time she said it...

"You is nice, You is smart, You is important."

How different many of our lives would be if we had been told that every day by someone we could trust.

 

[Sweetpea76]

I agree with that... I though that relationship was so sweet, and what a great thing to tell a child everyday. If anybody needed to hear that, it was that poor kid.