Fear is a prevailing theme in Aibileen's world. She fears losing her job (either for talking to Skeeter or for getting Minny the job at Celia's house) and is scared for what the future holds for Mae Mobley. She does not want her to grow up to be another privileged white woman who treats her help poorly. Aibileen encourages Mae Mobley to be kind and to love regardless of skin color, but she fears that the good she is trying to teach will be undone by the racism surrounding them both. She worries that the book project will be revealed and that the maids and Skeeter will be harmed. Fear has the controlling effect of keeping people firmly entrenched in their place, but no one can control what happens behind closed doors.