Authors and publishers sometimes deliberately use titles that can be interpreted in several ways. The fun lies in letting the readers discover the multiple references.

At its core, the name and the main concept of The Help points to the African American domestic servants traditionally employed in homes in the Deep South region of the United States. The verb “to help” turns into a noun to mean “the paid workers.” Some folks – especially those without ties to the American South -- may see this term as a dehumanizing one. “The help” sounds as though the employees should be treated as objects, and not as people. This use is therefore appropriate for the title of this book, since many members of the Jackson Junior League do not see their black maids as their equals.

We can consider another interpretation of “the help” by associating it with the writing projects undertaken by Miss Skeeter Phelan. First, she needs help in answering the housekeeper questions sent to Miss Myrna at the local newspaper. Skeeter is the new columnist. In order to write the columns, she has to get assistance and tips from Aibileen, the maid for the Leefolt family. Then because of something Aibileen tells Skeeter about her deceased son, Skeeter gets the idea to compile stories from the black maids. The resulting book will unveil a variety of both good and bad practices, as well as racist attitudes and behaviors, regarding their employers. But all of their identities will be masked. “The help” ends up giving Skeeter “the help” she desperately needs to flesh out the book and to get it published. She could not finish the project without them.