Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life Of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees has plentiful characters that represent someone you may know, or even yourself. Sue Monk Kidd reveals real issues that we are still facing in society today. One of these issues comes in one of the most significant quote by is stated by August. She states, “People can start out one way, and by the time life gets through with them they end up completely different” (248). Three characters that represent this quote are May, June, and Rosaleen. Ultimately, Sue Monk Kidd included these characters to display that it is acceptable for a human to grief in their own way, and to respect others in their time of grief.
While reading Chapter 12 of The Secret Life of Bees, the reader is able to infer several characters to describe at this moment August states “People can start out one way, and by the time life gets through with them they end up completely different” (248). A perfect example of someone who changed in this novel is June Boatwright. June was left alone at the altar, which led her to develop trust issues. Therefore, throughout this novel she is faced with complications, such as when Neil

wanted to marry her. In addition June slowly gained trust after Lily’s arrival. A “rebirth” occurred while Lily sprayed her with a hose, which can be seen when she cried. June is able to find a change in herself, but sadly May doesn’t.
May represents how people dealt with mental illness at the time. Later she discovers her own way of coping with the sadness she feels within her. August stated, “All the suffering out there, and she feels as if it’s happening to her. She can’t tell the difference” (95). August and June give May an idea to create a wailing wall which symbolizes a shrine in Jerusalem, where people go to pray. May is a significant character in the novel by representing a large group of people who struggled with mental health. May dealt with many mental disorders, but Rosaleen lived with prejudice throughout her life.
Throughout the novel, Rosaleen is a vital character.

She speaks on behalf of many African American voters in the 60’s, who even after being given the legal right to vote still faced discrimination on the daily basis. In the beginning of the novel, Rosaleen is already faced with prejudice. As Lily explains, “By then Rosaleen lay sprawled on the ground, pinned, twisting her fingers around the clumps of grass. Blood ran from a cut beneath her eye.” (33). Furthermore, Sue Monk Kidd includes this in the book to show real major issues society was facing in the novel. Rosaleen is changed towards the conclusion of the novel. When Lily and Rosaleen move in with the Calendar sisters, Rosaleen quickly makes friends with May, who notably takes a liking to Rosaleen as well. Moreover Rosaleen has truly found a makeshift family who includes; Lily, August, May, and

June.
Monk Kidd, similarly had bees in her house, which drew inspiration to include bees into the story. Comparatively as a child she had honey bees living within the walls of her home, which later got inside of her house. Sue Monk Kidd, wrote this book to share knowledge of a piece of American history, and a creative storyline that the reader would have interest in. Kidd, also adds characters that symbolizes many problems that citizens were facing in the 60’s, such as; racism, prejudice, sexism, and mental health disorders. Each character is faced with an Sue Monk Kidd
issue, they all deal with differently.
This novel teaches us how to deal with grief in our own way, as well
as to understand how others deal with grief.