Theme Of Independence In The Secret Life Of Bees

Independence in the Secret Life of Bees Within this world, people become self-governed after going through difficult times. In this novel, a fourteen-year-old white girl, Lily Owen’s, determination leads her to find contentment and another self-ruled woman, August Boatwright. After running away from home, Lily meets August and her two black sisters who maintain a large apiary to produce honey. Although some people work efficiently together, independent persons seek true happiness with their experiences as shown in the novel, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Throughout the novel, Lily and August prove the importance of independence by managing their lives and taking care of their loved ones. To

She spends hours in her house while taking care of May, her youngest sister, who suffers from a mental disorder. May often needs a lot of protection and monitoring since her traumatic episodes happen without notice. At all costs, looking after May makes August delightful because she is simply showing her sincere love. Whenever May has an episode, August bathes May and she advises May, “That’s right, May. Let all that misery slide right off you. Just let it go.” (Kidd, 89). Above all, this helps May to calm herself down as August’s recommendations are pleasing. Moreover, August owns a huge apiary that she genuinely adores. She works there as a full- time beekeeper and appreciates what she does for a living. While working Lily observes her, “...August hummed it when she pasted labels on the honey jars.” (Kidd, 83). The three blood sisters own a bee song that they sing when they are working around the bees. August hums it when she is vigorous to show her prosperity of being free. Also, August was able to afford the expenses of Lily and Rosaleen, Lily’s caregiver. Lily does not have money to pay for food or other necessaries so August uses her self-earned cash to aid her. In the long run, August’s success is due to having plenty of