Themes In The Secret Life Of Bees

Words: 595
Pages: 3

Throughout works of literature, conflict is often a central component of any relationship between a parent and their child. Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Secret Life of Bees,” for instance, depicts a disconnected relationship between a father and a daughter. The underlying conflict between Lily Owens and T-Ray Owens focuses upon the abandonment T-Ray experienced when Lily’s mother, Deborah, decided to leave him. In order to express his anger, T-Ray resorts to physically abusing Lily. The accidental death of Deborah also contributes to the pent-up bitterness of T-Ray. As the novel progresses, Lily is able to gradually understand the obstacles T-Ray has had to endure.

The beginning of this novel elaborates on the accidental death of Deborah. When