The Secret Life Of Bees By Sue Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees, written by Sue Kidd, follows the personal growth of its main protagonist, Lily Owens, as she faces life’s continuous ups and downs. Lily’s family life played a huge role in how she developed throughout the story. After the accidental death of her mother, her father T-Ray became abusive to her both physically and emotionally. She was mainly cared for by her maid, Rosaleen. Although Lily’s decision to run away with Rosaleen meant that she would leave the only family she had known, she gained a true sense of family. Lily’s new found family gave her hope, helped her grow in strength and confidence, and discover truths that broke down her walls and impacted her positively.
The day Lily ran away and busted Rosaleen out of jail they ended up in Tiburon where her life would change. In Tiburon, there was a pink house with three sisters named August May and June who raised bees and sold honey. They were the sweetest three women Lily had ever met. Immediately, August began treating Lily like the daughter she never had, taking her in and

“Unwanted, I was an unwanted baby,” (249). Further on in the conversation, she discovered that her mother had become depressed and T-Ray was right, her mother had left her. Feelings of anger and hate filled Lily’s heart. But Lily’s mother knew she had to go back for Lily after leaving her. Realizing how upset Lily had become August calmed her by saying “Your mother made a terrible mistake, but she tried to fix it. There is nothing perfect. There is only life. (256).” It was difficult for Lily to understand at first. She felt angry and confused that her mother could leave her. However, I think in the end it helped her grow as a person to realize that her mother’s love and life was imperfect, just like her own. I think that understanding brought her closer to her