Have you ever felt like a lost bee, buzzing around with a broken wing, searching for a place to belong? That’s what happens in “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. Lily Owens, the main character, runs away from home after a series of unfortunate events and her abusive father T.Ray. After searching for something related to her mother, Lily stumbles upon the Boatwrights house where August, the head of the Boatwrights, takes Lily in. Overall, August has most influenced Lily's growth and development. She showed Lily what it means to be loved and appreciated, along with helping her cope with her trauma. One reason why August has most influenced Lily’s growth and development is that she helped her cope with her trauma. As stated in the article, …show more content…
It doesn't take a wizard to see how Zach loves you. And every one of the Daughters loves you. And June, despite her ways, loves you, too” (Monk Kidd 349). August does her best to comfort Lily during their private conversation, exclaiming that she’s lovable, and that she shouldn’t be so down on herself. August reassures Lily, saying that every person she has met in their home loves them, even June. This is something only a mother could do, reinforcing the fact that August cares for Lily. "There is nothing perfect," August said from the doorway. There is only life in this world. "(Monk Kidd 369) This highlights the invaluable maternal comfort August provides Lily. Therefore, the way August has most influenced Lily’s growth and development is by helping her cope with her trauma. Another way August has most influenced Lily’s growth and development is by showing her she’s loved and appreciated. There were multiple times throughout the story where August had taken Lily out to help her with daily routines and the bee’s. As stated in the text, "I hadn't been out to the hives before, so to start off she gave me a lesson in what she called "bee yard etiquette."" This inclusion suggests that August sees Lily as part of the family and values her