What Does The Madonna Symbolize In The Secret Life Of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees is a complex and intricate tangle of symbology that develops and strengthens the plot and themes of the story. Through targeted and meaningful symbols, the themes of motherly love and religious affiliations are unveiled. These symbols are easy to identify, yet the underlying truth behind them is a network of religious views, Greek culture, and many other factors. The unconventional ways in which Sue Monk Kidd utilizes symbology allow the characters of The Secret Life of Bees to develop their own unique, deep backgrounds. For example, the theme of the archetypal mother is seen throughout the story, yet the symbols used to reference the archetype are all interconnected. The character development of Lily Owens is driven by the theme

The Madonna is a symbol for freedom and sacred feminism. It helps develop the theme of an independent women throughout the plot and allows Lily to see the prominent women figure that she never had (Hasan, Jabriel). It is this prominent women figure depicted in Black Madonnas gives a sense of power to women through the ability to create life. This idea celebrates the gift of reproduction and emphasizes the role of the mother figure (Hasan, Jabriel). Along with the powerful symbol of the Black Madonna, flowers also serve as a way to convey the same theme. The main Character's name, Lily, is in itself a symbol. The flower, Lily, is a predominantly white flower. This symbolizes the purity of the virgin mary. In addition, she finds a book in August’s bedroom that has pictures of the angel Gabriel giving a flower lily to Mary (Huseby, Amy). Rosaleen's name is also a significant symbol in the novel due to the fact that her name is very similar to the name Rosslyn. This name is vital because it means “rose line”,this term references the bloodline of Mary (Huseby, Amy). Flowers are also a clear symbol for fertility, much like Mary’s blessed fertility. The concept