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The Secret Life Of Bees Rosaleen Character Analysis

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Through indirect characterization, Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees, displays Rosaleen as an obstinate character in order to exhibit the southern racism at hand. For example, Rosaleen is indirectly characterized when she comes into contact with the town’s most notorious racist, Franklin Posey, and will not apologize for standing up for her beliefs. Recalling the event, she exclaims, “‘he hit me till the policeman said that was enough. They didn’t get no apology, though’” (46). Above all, Rosaleen is stuck living in the south during the 1960s; a time period full of extreme racial tension. She is facing ridicule and name-calling simply because of her skin color, but nonetheless stands up and fights back against this injustice.

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