The Butler Quotes
As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Young brother, the black domestic defy racial stereotypes by being hardworking and trustworthy. He slowly tears down racial hatred with his example of a strong work ethic and dignified character. Now, while we perceive the butler or the maid to be subservient, in many ways they are subversive, without even knowing it.
Gloria Gaines: [looking at a picture of her granddaughter] I mean, really, Shaquanda. What kind of name is that?
Cecil Gaines: [laughing] Ain't nobody done nothing to spite you.
Gloria Gaines: Yes she did. She a ugly little old girl, too. That little pug nose. I hope she grow out of it.
Cecil Gaines: Now you need to stop that, you know that ain't right.
Gloria Gaines: Don't you think she look a little like Louis around the mouth?
Cecil Gaines: I think... she look just like you.
Gloria Gaines: Like me?
Cecil Gaines: Yeah, so you need to
[laughing]
Cecil Gaines: so you need to stop talking about her.
Gloria Gaines: Let me look at her again then, real good. She do look a little bit like me. She a pretty little thing.
Cecil Gaines: [laughing] Ain't nobody done nothing to spite you.
Gloria Gaines: Yes she did. She a ugly little old girl, too. That little pug nose. I hope she grow out of it.
Cecil Gaines: Now you need to stop that, you know that ain't right.
Gloria Gaines: Don't you think she look a little like Louis around the mouth?
Cecil Gaines: I think... she look just like you.
Gloria Gaines: Like me?
Cecil Gaines: Yeah, so you need to
[laughing]
Cecil Gaines: so you need to stop talking about her.
Gloria Gaines: Let me look at her again then, real good. She do look a little bit like me. She a pretty little thing.
