Celia Foote Character Analysis

Celia Foote, being one of the few outcasts who happen to have white skin, has not necessarily been hesitant when it comes to decision making, even though she seems to care so much of what others may think of her. She has ended up embarrassing herself while attempting to make the correct decision, but always seems to follow through on the risks she has decided to take. While Kathryn Stockett presents most characters to have grown through their strengths by presenting their inner thoughts, Celia is shown to learn and grow through her desperation; which is shown through her reactions and actions.

Celia’s reactions to the many things that are happening in the story can range from her responding as somewhat of an airhead to standing up for herself and others when it is needed most. Celia has been perceived as weak and desperate, but when Minny is defenseless against an intruder she jumps in and acts in a courageous way that wasn’t expected. Minny expressed “‘Is a white woman really beating up a white man to save me?’” (Stockett 308) to express her shock while Celia initiates her growth away from cowardice. Although Celia takes this step towards a new self, she still occasionally struggles with self confidence and fitting in.

Seeing as she is clearly an outsider, Celia strives to fit in with the socialite women of Jackson. She puts herself through unnecessary and embarrassing experiences in hopes to fit into a perfect mold that she feels is necessary to be content with her life. At the Junior League Annual Ball and Benefit, Celia introduces what the other women perceive to be an improper theme to the event by showing up attired in clothes that were too risque for their acceptance. She continues to press for their attention by attempting to force conversation and also manages to drink more than necessary. Johnny expresses “‘Like living in Antarctica all my life and one day moving to Hawaii.’” (328) when comparing Hilly and Celia’s clear difference in audacity. Celia and Hilly are definitely different and Johnny isn’t the only one who notices. Celia’s background is one that people are talking about and holding against her.

Celia’s history often seems to stand in her way whenever she attempts to interact with other members of the Junior League community, which she desperately strives to be a part of.

Everyone is aware of her upbringings in Sugar Ditch, which is said by Minny to be “as low as you can go in Mississippi, maybe the whole United States.” (32) Where she also states that “Even the white kids looked like they hadn’t had a meal for a week.” (32) Celia, not having an impressive enough background and also now being married to Hilly’s ex-boyfriend, was not even considered to be proper enough to fit into the group like she anticipated. This disappointment was, in the long run, a positive thing for Celia as she figured out what she really needed out of

life.

While Celia goes through many struggles that have to do with fitting in and accessing her brave side, she eventually realizes that the only people she needs in her life were standing by her side the whole time. Celia’s character development went from being insecure and wearing “double the makeup the other white ladies wear” (31) to being confident and honest by “finally dropping the ruse” (404) and standing up to Hilly by not firing Minny. While she is not a main character who has a perspective shown throughout the story, her position is known through how she responds to the actions of others. This highly developed character is able to relate to outcasts and others who aren’t viewed as important, but also learns that by avoiding to conform to societal standards she gains the most honest of relationships and benefits from life, which is what she wanted all along.