What Does Mary Symbolize In The Secret Life Of Bees

Bees can regulate the temperature of their hive by collectively fanning the air around it. They are capable creatures that are frequently put aside as less than the hexagon-crafting, hive-conditioning team coordinators that they are. The Secret Life of Bees depicts female protagonists that are underestimated in a similar way, their diverse skills being reduced to the era’s stereotypes for women and Afro-Americans. As a result, a lot of internal and external conflicts occur within the story. The story encircles Lily, who accidentally murdered her mother at the age of three. In a town where she does not receive love from her abusive father or peers, she escapes his custody to bail her nanny from jail and pursue clues on the life that her deceased

The boatwrights held a communion at the pink house where the Black Mary was worshiped by the Daughters of Mary. August, while telling the Black Madonna’s story, says: “Our lady filled their hearts with fearlessness and whispered to them plans of escape. The bold ones fled, finding their way north, and those who didn’t lived with a raised fist in their hearts. And if ever it grew weak, they would only have to touch her heart again”(Kidd 110). Mary symbolizes perseverance. “Fearlessness” has a positive connotation; it means that one lacks fear and can therefore do what is necessary. By saying that the Black Madonna filled the other slaves’ hearts with “fearlessness”, she eliminates doubts and uncertainty. Not only does she serve as a source of perseverance, but she is needed for continued support. The slaves are reliant on Mary, as they “would only have to touch her heart again” when they grew weak. She is giving them courage to keep going, and therefore represents perseverance. August took Lily out to the hives in order to have a private conversation with her. She revealed the true nature of the Black Madonna: “You don’t have to place your hand on Mary’s heart to get strength and consolation and rescue, and all the other things we need to get through life, You can place it right here on your own heart. Your own heart” (Kidd 288). August suggests that placing your hand on “your own heart” yields the same effect as placing it on Mary’s heart. Mary is revered by the Daughters because of her perseverance in the face of ordeal. Therefore, the Daughters only receive “strength and consolation and rescue” from placing their hands on her heart because of her perseverance. However, August underlines Lily’s ability to be confident in and attain “strength and consolation and rescue” from her own capabilities