"Change begins with a whisper."
The Help - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
You is kind. You is smart. You is important.
— Aibileen Clark
Context:
Aibileen whispers these words to a tearful Mae Mobley after the child's mother, Elizabeth, has been emotionally abusive. She repeats this mantra throughout the film, making it a recurring symbol of her love and her mission to combat hate with love.
Meaning:
This quote is the emotional core of the film. It's a powerful affirmation of self-worth that Aibileen repeatedly tells Mae Mobley, the neglected white child she cares for. It directly counters the racist ideology that devalues Black lives and serves as Aibileen's quiet, personal form of resistance, instilling values of kindness and equality in the next generation.
Courage sometimes skips a generation. Thank you for bringing it back to our family.
— Charlotte Phelan
Context:
Charlotte says this to Skeeter near the end of the film, after Hilly threatens Skeeter and Charlotte stands up to Hilly, ordering her off her property. It's a moment of profound validation for Skeeter.
Meaning:
This line signifies a pivotal moment of reconciliation and approval from Skeeter's mother. After opposing Skeeter's ambitions and values for most of the film, Charlotte finally understands and appreciates her daughter's bravery in writing the book. It acknowledges that Skeeter has broken from the passive complicity of her mother's generation to fight for what is right.
Eat my shit.
— Minny Jackson
Context:
Minny says this in a voiceover as she recalls the story of how she got revenge on Hilly. The story is told to Aibileen and Skeeter as Minny agrees to contribute her most dangerous story to the book to protect the other maids.
Meaning:
This blunt and shocking line precedes the reveal of the "terrible awful" pie. It represents Minny's ultimate act of defiance against Hilly's cruelty and racism. It is a raw, visceral reclamation of power, turning a symbol of domestic servitude (a homemade pie) into an instrument of unforgettable revenge and humiliation.
Fried chicken just tend to make you feel better about life.
— Minny Jackson
Context:
Minny says this to Celia Foote early in their relationship, as she is teaching the culinarily challenged Celia how to cook. It's one of the first moments where their employer-employee relationship begins to soften into a genuine friendship.
Meaning:
On the surface, this is a humorous line about comfort food, but it also speaks to the role of food and domesticity in the film. For Minny, cooking is a source of pride, skill, and power. This quote reflects her practical, down-to-earth wisdom and the way she uses her talents to navigate a difficult world and bring comfort to others.