The Help
Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.
Despite a respectable budget of $25.0M, The Help became a massive hit, earning $216.6M worldwide—a remarkable 766% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Help (2011) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Tate Taylor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Skeeter Phelan returns to Jackson, Mississippi in 1963 after graduating from Ole Miss, finding her hometown unchanged - deeply segregated with white families employing Black maids who raise their children while being treated as invisible second-class citizens.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when Skeeter gets a job at the Jackson Journal writing the "Miss Myrna" housekeeping column, despite knowing nothing about homemaking. Editor Elaine Stein sends her a letter suggesting she find a subject she cares about - planting the seed that will grow into her book project about the maids.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Aibileen agrees to be interviewed by Skeeter for the book, crossing a line that could get her killed in 1960s Mississippi. "God says we need to love our enemies. It hard to do. But it can start by telling the truth." This active choice launches the secret book project., moving from reaction to action.
At 74 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Hilly fires Minny after discovering she used the guest bathroom during a storm, and Minny reveals "the terrible awful" - she baked her feces into a chocolate pie that Hilly ate. This false victory (a hilarious revenge) masks the danger: Hilly now has unlimited rage and the power to destroy them all. Stakes are raised., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 109 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Skeeter's mother reveals the truth about Constantine: she was forced to fire her after Constantine's light-skinned daughter refused to use the back door at a party, humiliating Charlotte in front of her friends. Constantine left Mississippi and died shortly after. Skeeter realizes even her own mother participated in the cruelty, and her childhood innocence dies., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 117 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hilly realizes she's the villain in the book and discovers the "terrible awful" pie story, but she can't publicly admit it without confessing she ate excrement. This ironic justice protects the maids. Simultaneously, Skeeter receives a job offer in New York, and the women realize their courage has created change., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Help's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Help against these established plot points, we can identify how Tate Taylor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Help within the drama genre.
Tate Taylor's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Tate Taylor films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Help takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tate Taylor filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Tate Taylor analyses, see Get on Up, The Girl on the Train and Ma.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Skeeter Phelan returns to Jackson, Mississippi in 1963 after graduating from Ole Miss, finding her hometown unchanged - deeply segregated with white families employing Black maids who raise their children while being treated as invisible second-class citizens.
Theme
Aibileen tells Mae Mobley "You is kind, you is smart, you is important" - a statement of inherent human dignity that contrasts sharply with the racist society around them, establishing the film's central theme about recognizing the humanity and worth of those society deems inferior.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of 1960s Jackson society: Skeeter struggles to fit in with her bridge club friends led by the cruel Hilly Holbrook; we meet Aibileen Clark raising white children while mourning her own son's death; Minny Jackson's fiery personality gets her fired; the "Home Help Sanitation Initiative" reveals the depths of racial prejudice; Skeeter discovers her beloved maid Constantine is gone.
Disruption
Skeeter gets a job at the Jackson Journal writing the "Miss Myrna" housekeeping column, despite knowing nothing about homemaking. Editor Elaine Stein sends her a letter suggesting she find a subject she cares about - planting the seed that will grow into her book project about the maids.
Resistance
Skeeter conceives the idea of writing a book from the maids' perspective and approaches Aibileen, who initially refuses out of fear. Skeeter researches civil rights laws and realizes the danger involved. Minny gets hired by Celia Foote, an outcast white woman. The murder of Medgar Evers shakes the community. Aibileen wrestles with whether to trust Skeeter.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aibileen agrees to be interviewed by Skeeter for the book, crossing a line that could get her killed in 1960s Mississippi. "God says we need to love our enemies. It hard to do. But it can start by telling the truth." This active choice launches the secret book project.
Mirror World
Minny develops a genuine friendship with Celia Foote, who treats her as an equal and friend rather than invisible help. Their relationship becomes the thematic mirror showing what's possible when people see past race and social class - everything Skeeter is trying to capture in her book.
Premise
The heart of the story: Skeeter and Aibileen conduct secret interviews, bonding over shared purpose. Minny finally agrees to participate and tells her stories. More maids slowly come forward after Yule May's son is arrested. The book takes shape with stories of dignity, cruelty, humor, and heartbreak. Skeeter learns what happened to Constantine.
Midpoint
Hilly fires Minny after discovering she used the guest bathroom during a storm, and Minny reveals "the terrible awful" - she baked her feces into a chocolate pie that Hilly ate. This false victory (a hilarious revenge) masks the danger: Hilly now has unlimited rage and the power to destroy them all. Stakes are raised.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as Hilly grows suspicious of Skeeter. Yule May is arrested and sentenced to four years for stealing a ring to pay for her son's college, galvanizing the maids to speak out. The book manuscript is completed and accepted for publication. Tension builds as publication date approaches and Hilly's power over the community tightens.
Collapse
Skeeter's mother reveals the truth about Constantine: she was forced to fire her after Constantine's light-skinned daughter refused to use the back door at a party, humiliating Charlotte in front of her friends. Constantine left Mississippi and died shortly after. Skeeter realizes even her own mother participated in the cruelty, and her childhood innocence dies.
Crisis
The book "The Help" is published and arrives in Jackson. Initial reactions are mixed with fear and anticipation. Aibileen and the maids wait to see if they'll be identified and punished. Skeeter faces her mother's disappointment and the collapse of her social standing. Everyone processes what they've risked and potentially lost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hilly realizes she's the villain in the book and discovers the "terrible awful" pie story, but she can't publicly admit it without confessing she ate excrement. This ironic justice protects the maids. Simultaneously, Skeeter receives a job offer in New York, and the women realize their courage has created change.
Synthesis
The finale brings resolution: Hilly tries to get revenge by having Aibileen fired, but fails to break her spirit. Aibileen quits on her own terms, walking away from years of service with dignity. Skeeter says goodbye and leaves for New York to pursue her writing career. Minny stands up to her abusive husband. Each woman claims her own agency and future.
Transformation
Aibileen walks away from the Leefolt house for the last time, heading toward an uncertain but self-determined future. "I done raised seventeen kids in my life. I know how to get them babies to sleep, stop crying and go in the toilet bowl before they mamas even get out of bed. But I can't teach courage. That's something you got to learn on your own." She's free.