The Secret Life Of Bees

"The Secret Life Of Bees"

Have you ever discovered something that changed everything you thought when you were growing up? Lily Owens did. In The Secret Life Of Bees though, she was in for a rude awakening. Throughout this story we follow Lily as she discovers things about her past as she sets out with a picture of the African American Virgin Mary with only 3 words on the back: "Tiburon, South Carolina". In The Secret Life Of Bees the characters were influenced by beekeeping, the "queen bee", and the changing of the seasons.

In this story, beekeeping influenced the characters in many ways. Patience was definitely something that they all learned. It takes a long amount of time to wait for bees to produce honey for the beekeepers to harvest. The temperature also affected the beekeepers. Sometimes the weather can be dry and warm and the bees may suck nectar from elderberries, making purple honey. They also discovered that the queen bee affects their life as well as those in the hive. A beekeeper must watch closely to a queen bee and if she dies, she needs to be replaced quickly or the rest of the bees will all to start to show queen-like behaviors.

In addition to beekeeping, the "queen bee" also affected the characters lives. The "queen bee" in this story refers to August. August is the oldest of the sisters and she affects how they live their lives. She gained respect for her two sisters and is able to do what she needs to do because she trusts May and June to obey her. August also became a leader, because she is the oldest sister. Helping others and taking charge is what she loves to do. Although she is a leader she is very compassionate and wants what is best for the people around her. She also likes for them to sometimes may mistakes for them to become better people and learn valuable lessons.

Not only do bee keeping and the "queen bee"