Variety's on this English menu : have fun practising ! ~~~ Progresse en anglais au fil des divers articles et supports :-)
TEACHERS' LOUNGE
Many of you may not know the novel yet -nor the film : the official website SYNOPSIS and the 'traditional' WIKIPEDIA article on "The Help" are a good start.
You may also READ the first pages of the novel, and LISTEN to the corresponding audio file on the U.S. Penguin Books website.
Kathryn Stockett was interviewed by 'Time' in November 2009 : the document may be compared with excerpts from the CBS videointerview
The book has been warmly praised : 'The Huffington Post' article "The Help : Kathryn Stockett's Controversial Hit" is all the more worth reading. Jessie Kunhardt's article highlights controversial sides and refers to various press articles (+ URLs) : the Washington Post's, the New York Times', etc...
In the 'New York Times' Janet Maslin deals with " Racial Insults and Quiet Bravery in 1960s Mississippi" -the article was issued on February 18, 2009.
The camera's eye
Thanks to G. Segrestain, the colleague who sent the >> SCRIPT of the film URL -another good start ;)
"Civil Rights through a soft focus lens in 'The Help'" was written on August 10, 2011 by Karina Longworth on the Villlage Voice website ('Movies' section). You'll also find "Kathryn Stockett'southern discomfort" by John Barber -issued on the 'Globe and Mail' on May 07, 2011.
The Metacritic website also reviews the film assets and flaws....
Background
African American English : information on the African American dialects.
The rise and fall of Jim Crow -also a PBS series- to get more on the Jim Crow laws mentioned in the novel. (interactive maps, tools & activities, a section for teachers, etc...).
The British cover of the book you can see on top of this article couldn't be released in the U.S.A. for it was considered too controversial. Here is the one that was chosen instead :
ESL students might analyse and compare both book covers and have to explain the American publishers' choice. They might also write their own back cover (and possibly illustrate their own too !).
"The Help" : a few themes
Race Gender Society & Class
Justice & Judgement Violence
Literature & writing
Education Love The Home