Student Question
What item did Lily steal in "The Secret Life of Bees" and why?
Quick answer:
Lily steals snuff from a store after realizing she cannot purchase it on a Sunday due to local laws. She takes the snuff for Rosaleen, who requested it after being beaten and jailed. Lily distracts the store owner by asking him to open Coke bottles, allowing her to slip the snuff into her bag. She rationalizes the theft by believing Rosaleen deserves it, although she feels guilty and plans to send money to the store later.
In chapter 3, Lily goes into a store to try to buy some food for herself and Rosaleen. After ordering the "Sunday-plate special," Lily wanders the aisles and piles various items on the counter for purchase: peanuts, cookies, sour balls, and snuff. When the owner realizes this, he informs her that he isn't allowed to sell items from his store on Sundays—only restaurant food.
Rosaleen has already been beaten up and jailed, and she asked Lily to grab her some snuff (a form of tobacco which was more commonly used during this era than it is now) while she was inside. Lily realizes that she isn't going to be able to purchase Rosaleen's requested item and quickly devises a plan.
As she is paying, Lily asks the owner if he can open the (glass) Coke bottles she's purchased. When he walks back toward the kitchen to grab the device needed for this, Lily drops the snuff into her bag and zips it closed.
Lily justifies her theft by telling herself that Rosaleen really deserves it, after all she's been through. However, this doesn't absolve her own guilt, and she automatically envisions one day mailing the store some money to cover her actions.
Interestingly, the owner of the store is the man who points her in the direction of August Boatwright, who will become one of Lily's closest allies in the days ahead.
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