* Fictionalized Characters: The characters are entirely fictional, though they are inspired by real-life experiences of African American maids in the South.
* Emphasis on the Present: While the story takes place in the past, it's primarily told from a present-day perspective, focusing on the protagonist's experiences and the impact of the past on her present life.
* Focus on Emotional Truth: The Help is more focused on exploring themes of race, class, and the power of individual stories rather than meticulously recreating historical events.
While The Help draws heavily on the historical context of the Civil Rights era, its focus on fictional characters and its exploration of contemporary themes makes it more accurately categorized as contemporary fiction with historical elements.