The Secret Life of Bees Group

Question:

aquafina
aquafina
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In "The Secret Life of Bees", how did Lily overcome being an outsider in the world?

from the novel secret life of bees

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Posted by aquafina on Monday May 11, 2009 at 6:34 PM.

Answers:

  1. speamerfam
    speamerfam Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Lily's "outsider" status is a function of her having no mother and a father who is unable to nurture her properly. All Lily has is Rosaleen, who is alone in the world, too.  So, Lily lacks a "queen bee."  Lily makes her way by finding a family that loves and appreciates her, and by loving and appreciating that family.  Once she has discovered the truth about her mother, she is able to make some peace with her past, and become a part of a new family. Also, she finds a community and a connection with God with the Sisters of Mary, and a relationship with Zeke.  During the course of the novel, she moves from being nearly an orphan to having a family, a community, a religion, and a boyfriend.  Not bad for a fourteen-year-old girl!   

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/secret-life-bees

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    Posted by speamerfam on Monday May 11, 2009 at 8:30 PM