Similarities Between 'Beekeeper And The Lost Queen'

Jordan Dean
Cherise Ragoonath
English 1110
17 March 2023
Otto and Queen Puabi’s Inability to Determine Their Own Fate
“The Beekeeper” by Nola Poirier and “The Lost Queen” by Natalie Minaker are captivating and tragic short stories, both first published in 2022. In Poirier's short story the narrator, Otto is the heir to his family beekeeping business, however, he desires to pursue the culinary arts as opposed to becoming the successor to the family business, which literally entails becoming the hive itself. In Minaker's short story the character, Queen Puabi, is an ancient ruler who sought to abolish enslavement within her dominion that was built upon the backs of the very slaves she wanted to set free. Unfortunately, both are unsuccessful in

Queen Puabi sought to end slavery after she had children for, “‘the love [she] had for [her] own children expanded to all [of her] people, and [her] heart ached for those trapped in bondage’” (Minaker). Ending slavery quickly became her number one priority to better care for her people. However, she would not end slavery without opposition, “‘When [she] became Queen, [she] was young and Ur seemed ancient, as though it had always existed. But it was an illusion’” (Minaker). The city she ruled Ur seemed ancient, meaning it had stringent customs, traditions, and laws that were well accepted as if they were not changed for millennia. With strict customs changing the status quo will prove to be inherently difficult for Queen Puabi, but she perseveres and seeks to pursue her desire to be a benevolent and just ruler. Queen Puabi swiftly took action and, “‘called for the high priest and issued a royal decree – slavery was to end, immediately’” (Minaker). The high priest agreed (Minaker). The dominion however, isn’t ruled by Queen Puabi alone, the corrupt priesthood have considerable control, and “‘Without the slaves, the priests would lose their power. It was slaves who built the temples, and slaves who serviced the needs of the priests within’” (Minaker). Queen Puabi would not only go against the very foundation of her dominion but also the priesthood that controlled it. While the high priest agreed to Queen Puabi’s decree, his words are deceitful and this ultimately costs Queen Puabi her life. For she was poisoned in her sleep that night, 74 of her servants met the same fate (Minaker). Now Queen Puabi will never see her desire to free her people from enslavement come to fruition. Queen Puabi failed to determine her fate. There are many