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The Secret Life Of The Bees Lily's Guilt

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In the book, “The Secret Life of the Bees” Lily Owens suffers the guilt from the loss of her mother. Growing up was difficult for lily as she struggled with the abuse of her father and being socially awkward at school. Lily finds influential characters throughout her childhood years. Rosaleen her housekeeper is known in lily's life as her stand-in mother after lily's mother's death. Lily is often dreaming of being Rosaleen adoptive child. August Boatwright, A honey maker, takes Rosaleen and Lily in after running away from Lily's father. Lily learns that August had a true love for bees, life, and love. She always offers Lilly help and advice. August is a spiritual woman with hobbies and customs. Zachary Taylor or Zach is an African-American boy who is very intelligent and is aspiring to become a lawyer. Meanwhile, he helps August in the honey farms. After meeting lily, they become best friends and eventually develop feelings for each other. After being …show more content…

She was assigned to care for Lily shortly after her mother's death. “...came every day to cook, clean, and be my stand-in mother. Rosaleen had never had a child herself, so for the last ten years I’d been her pet guinea pig.” (Monk Kidd 2). Lily describes Rosaleen has her “Stand-in mother”. This is evident that she looks up to Rosaleen as her own mother. Rosaleen is very determined and quickly stands up for herself. “ I’m going to register my name so I can vote, that what.. Rosaleen lifted her snuff jug, which was filled with black spot, and calmly poured it across the top of the men's shoes...spelling Rosaleen Daise” (Monk Kidd 13). Rosaleen was a assaulted by a group of supremacist after telling them that registering to vote. Eventually, Rosaleen was arrested disturbing peace. With Lily witnessing the event, she was worried about Rosaleen but she knew that Rosaleen wouldn't step down without a

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