Recently in class, we completed our first practice IO where we had to compare two texts studied in class: a non-literary piece and a literary piece. I chose to compare “The Help” and a photograph taken by Gordon Parks to discuss the refined global issue stating that “Education is vital for the upbringing of children and plays a major role in shaping their beliefs and values – not just in schools but education from adult figures in their lives.”
Of course in the moment of doing the IO, there were a few things that I wish I said but didn’t. That brings me to this list of things that I wish I said and wish I’d done.
- When I first introduced The Help, I jumped straight into how Miss Leefolt was setting a bad example for her daughter as she called Aibileen’s toilet “dirty” and “diseased”. However, if we take a step back, due to Mae Mobley’s age, she would now equate going to the toilet with getting scolded and spanked, which something you wouldn’t want for your child. Perhaps the point can be made about how prejudice held by most white women in this book (and time) affected how they “raised” their children by putting those harsh, preconceived beliefs stemming from society INFRONT of basic parenting.
- I started rambling a bit about what the woman in the photograph could be looking at. I should’ve just started with “the woman is looking outside through the window, perhaps signifying several things such as…”
- I should really work on being more concise because although I feel like I came prepared, it sounded like I was thinking of things on the spot and I was just having a conversation (with myself…) Maybe that’s a good thing, but it probably should’ve sounded like it had more structure and a more obvious line of thought instead of jumping from one thing to another.
- stop saying like. seriously.
- At the end when I was saying that The Help was more fictional and the photograph was more realistic, I could’ve elaborated and said that The Help was just “wishful thinking” while the photograph represented reality and, unfortunately, kind of present-day as not that much has changed. Only evolved.
- Abhu was a little sneaky because he stole my question but I did believe that people would’ve found the photograph as powerful as I found it, due to the obvious pain etched in her face. Even with a basic understanding of human nature and body language, people would have been able to pick up on the sombre mood.
