The Secret Life of Bees

A Brief Resume

• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue M. Kidd
• This book focuses mainly on how the main character grows up among a group of women. Her name is Lily and she lives in a time where black people have just been given  the right to vote. However, there is still the prominent element of racism and while Lily herself is white, the women she finds and lives with are black. Lily lived with her mother and father, though her mother died when she was young and she only has vague memories of her death. The rest of the memories of her mother are lost in the cobwebs of her mind and she can't shake the feeling that it was her fault. After her mother's death, a black woman moved in with her father and became both nurse and housekeeper. Lily's relationship with her father, however, is rocky. One day, she discovers in her attic her mother's glove and a picture of her mother and another woman. She also discovers, a honey label with an address. When her nurse is on the way to vote, she is caught in a fight and put in jail; however, both escape and head to the address on the honey label. And so begins Lily's journey of self discovery as she falls into a world, where women worship a virgin as their patron saint and she is, for once, the outcast. This is a story of growing up and hinding out the truth and all its companions. 

One Question and its Response

One of the most important elements in this story is the Virgin Mary, what is the difference between her worship and that of pagan Mother Goddesses? Could one say that she is in fact the center of the story? What theme does she represent?

In contrary to most representations of The Virgin Mary, this statue is made of wood, a natural element as oposed to the more traditional stone. She is perserved using techniques that have been pased down through generations about the properties of honey and how it can be used as a perservative. The figure is in many ways similar to that of Mother Goddesses throughout the ancient world. She is revered by women, but there is one man who hears her call. Considered mistress of creation by one group of people, she is one who always forgives and who one can look to for help. When Lily in her anger, hits her down and she breaks, it becomes obvious that by the women, she is still considered whole. She represents the beauty of life and the power and role of women. And there is another thing, the Mary is black.

It is when Lily steps ffot inside the house that contains the Black Mary that her life changes. Her position among the women is obvious during the sermons and as she begins to understand the Mary more, she becomes more and more accepted among the women. At the begining, she does not truly believe in the Mary, but the rituals and the traditions that surround her, win her over. Lily's attitude towards her often reflects both the point in the story and Lily's own attitude towards life. The climax in the story is when Lily breaks the statue and her presence is felt throughout this novel.

It could be said that she represents the theme of spirituality and the core focus of this novel as it focuses on one one girl's growth into a woman under the shadow of the women who knew her mother and a one statue who quickly becomes the focus of her life and the reason that she makes honey. The Mary is at the center of all the plots, standing vigilant as Lily experiences what life is all about and discovers her first love and takes the journey that we must all take one day in order to find our true calling. 

 The Cover