The Secret Life of Bees Group

Question:

noodel
noodel
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What does the quote in the beginning of chapter 5 mean in the book "The Secret Life of Bees"?

The quote is: "Let's imagine for a moment that we are tiny enough to follow a bee into hive. Usually the first thing we would have to get used to is the darkness..."

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Posted by noodel on Monday November 17, 2008 at 8:38 PM and tagged with analysis, characters, details, quotations, summary, the secret life of bees.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The idea of this quote seems to mean that it is very difficult to go from the bright light of knowledge into darkness where things are new and unsure.  It is very much like going from a lighted outdoors into a small dark place.   At first we can’t see anything, but as we work at it, the eyes adjust and things get easier to see.   Darkness is very important in this chapter.  Lily and Rosaleen are both in the “dark” about the business of bees.  It is this chapter where they begin to learn.  Lily is also in the “darkness” where her mother is concerned.  Lily even writes her mom’s name on a piece of paper and walks through the darkness to place the sheet of paper in the “prayer wall.”

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

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Saturday November 22, 2008 at 3:25 PM