The Secret Life of Bees Group

Question:

noodel
noodel
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What does the quote in the beginning of chapter 4 in the book "The Secret Life of Bees" mean?

The quote is: "Honey bees are social insects and live in colonies. Each colony is a family unit, a single egg-laying female or queen and her many sterile daughters called workers. The workers cooperate in the food-gathering, nest-building and rearing the offspring. Males are reared only at the time of year when their presence is required."

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Posted by noodel on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 4:34 PM and tagged with chapter four, quotes, the secret life of bees, themes.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This quote is indicitive of one of the major themes in the book.  The community of women was a strong theme throughout the novel but in this chapter Lily decides to break Rosealeen out of prison and go find a home where they can be happy and accepted.  She washes her hands of her father.  "Through the Daughters of Mary, Kidd depicts a feminist, matriarchal alternative to the racist white male religious and civil authorities who otherwise dominate the town of Tiburon. The Boatwrights and the other Daughters worship a divine feminine presence, the Virgin Mary. The Virgin's nurturing qualities stand in sharp contrast to Brother Gerald, the Baptist preacher at the church in Sylvan. The Daughters' worship revolves around shared meals and communally treasured rituals. By the end of the novel, Rosaleen and Lily both have found a place for themselves in this mostly female community."

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/secret-life-bees/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/secret-life-bees/plot-summary
    http://www.enotes.com/secret-life-bees/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 7:18 PM