In the book and film adaptation of “The Help,” Hilly Holbrook is portrayed as a 24-year-old woman. She is the daughter of Missus Walters and is known for her snobby, rude, spoiled, selfish, evil, and racist behavior. Hilly is best friends with her childhood friends, Skeeter Phelan, and Elizabeth Leefolt, although her relationship with Skeeter later turns into one of enemies.
Hilly’s age, being 24, is significant in understanding her character and the dynamics within the story. At this age, Hilly is young and still figuring out her place in the world. However, her upbringing in a privileged white family has instilled in her a sense of entitlement and superiority over others, particularly the African American community.
Hilly’s age also highlights the generational gap and societal norms of the time. The story is set in the early 1960s, a period marked by racial segregation and deep-rooted racism in the Southern United States. Hilly represents the younger generation that upholds these discriminatory beliefs and perpetuates the oppressive system.
It is important to note that Hilly’s age does not excuse her behavior or justify her actions. Instead, it serves as a reminder of how prejudice and bigotry can be ingrained in individuals from a young age, passed down through generations, and perpetuated within communities.
Hilly’s character arc throughout the story exposes the toxic nature of her beliefs and the consequences of her actions. As the narrative unfolds, her true colors are revealed, and she becomes a symbol of the ignorance and intolerance that the main characters, particularly Skeeter and the African American maids, strive to overcome.
Hilly Holbrook is depicted as a 24-year-old woman in “The Help.” Her age plays a crucial role in understanding her character and the societal context in which the story unfolds. Despite her young age, Hilly’s behavior is marked by snobbery, racism, and entitlement, representing the deeply rooted prejudice of the time.