Eugenia Phelans Character Traits

Kathryn Stockett reveals Eugenia Phelans character through many different aspects. Using her early life and how she was raised, her appearance, her old and new relationships and the culture in which she lives in. All these attributions help shape her into the independent, controversial character she is. Eugenia never accustomed to the culture of her time. She was always the odd one out.
Unlike many of her friends, Eugenia never really fit into the social standards of beauty. She was almost six feet tall, lanky, with curly unmanageable hair. She received the nickname Skeeter from her older brother Carlton right after she was born. He took one look at her and said “It’s not a baby it’s a Skeeter!” (Stockett 57). However, looks didn’t mean anything

to Constantine, Eugenia’s maid. Constantine was a member of the black community and had personal experience with people’s concerns with her looks. Constantine taught her many important lessons about life and society. She taught Skeeter to love herself no matter what others thought of her. She taught her that “Ugly live on the inside. Ugly be a hurtful, mean person…” (Stockett 62) This helped shape Eugenia into the independent character she is and further increased her drive to step out of the social standards that bound her. Her mother on the other hand was constantly worried over Skeeters appearance and whether or not she was going to find a man to settle down with. This was the opposite of Skeeters worries. She worked hard to graduate college and after that there was nothing stopping her from getting a job and pursuing writing.
Skeeters relationships throughout the novel help mold and develop her. Her relationship with Constantine teaches her to look past racial prejudices and see people for their heart rather than their skin. Her relationship with Hilly Holbrook and Elizabeth Leefolt, two of her longtime friends, help her to question whether or not she wishes she could “…change things.” (Stockett10). This foreshadows the writing of her novel and accentuates her liberal character. As the book progresses Skeeter is given a job as a writer, answering questions about home maintenance for the Jackson Journal. Seeing that Skeeter was raised with maids, she doesn’t know the first thing about laundry, cleaning or cooking. For help, she goes to Aibileen, Elizabeth’s maid. During their time spent together they form a close relationship and Skeeters eyes are opened to the social injustices that surround the black community.
1960s Jackson, Mississippi was a home to segregation between black and white people. Through various interviews of Aibileen and Minny, Mrs. Hilly’s former maid, Skeeters gains new perspective on the racial discrimination. Going against traditional views on women and the black race, Skeeter decides to write a novel on the life of the colored maids.
Skeeter is taken on a personal journey throughout this novel. She grows to learn the political social and