Themes in the novel The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, is about Lily Owens, a girl who goes on a journey that spins her life “into a whole new orbit (p. ... ” It is a story that incorporates the symbolism of bees, death, and the power of love; themes that are present throughout the novel. Kidd uses the first chapter of the novel to introduce all of the major themes explored in the work, preparing the reader for what is to come so they can experience the full impact of the events that change Lily’s life forever. “Looking back on it now, I want to say the bees were sent to me. ... ” The first theme introduced in the novel is bees. The bees play a very important, although somewhat indirect, role throughout the entire story, so it is fitting that the first chapter starts off with Lily describing the bees. “At night I would lie in bed and watch the show, how bees squeezed through the cracks of my bedroom wall and flew circles around the room…(p.1)” The bees are almost always spoken of as if they are more than just insects, constantly being compared to humans (like the angel Gabriel). Lily believes the bees sent her on her strange journey; they helped and guided her. Every chapter in the novel begins with a quote from a different book, giving the reader some information about bees.