Kirsten Kauth

Ms. David
HELA 10, Hour 4
10 May 2016
SLOB Timed Write- Revisions
In the novel Secret Life of Bees, the author Sue Monk Kidd uses
strong recurring themes that help to propel the protagonists story.
Throughout the entire novel, the main character rises above the
influence of a major theme, time period, by not conforming to societal
norms of the 1960s.
Early in the novel, the author reveals to readers that the time
period is 1964. The first major event that is relevant to time period is
when Rosaleen and Lily get arrested because Rosaleen poured spit
onto a group of white mens shoes. In the year 1964, the issue of Civil
Rights was widely talked about, and the United States was progressing
into a time of equality. Rosaleen, being an African American, was
targeted by the white men on her way to vote. Rosaleen was treated
unfairly by both of the men and the police because she is black and
racism was especially strong in the South during the 1960s. The way
Lily reacts to this incident reveals her thoughts about racism. Lily
thought it was stupid of Rosaleen to pour the tobacco spit on the men,
but she was horrified by the way the police treated Rosaleen. Lily
transcends the racism of the South during the 1960s and breaks
Rosaleen out of prison. This was extremely brave to do during this time

period because she could have been severely punished for helping an
African American escape prison.
Another example of Lily transcending the time period is her
relationship with Zach. Again, this situation is race related. During the
1960s, with racism a big issue in the South, interracial relationships
were unheard of. Not only were they unheard of, but they were
practically forbidden. Lily overcomes these views with her feelings for
Zach, which go above and beyond the thoughts of many people during
this time period. Lilys lack of prejudiced is thinking that would be
common today, but was extremely rare during the 60s.
Lilys lack of racism fuels many aspects of the novel. If Lily had
shared the racist views of the time period, she and Rosaleen would
never have ended up at the Boatwright house, and Lily never would
have met Zach. There are so many strong themes throughout the
entire novel such as race, gender, religion, and mother daughter
relationships. However the strongest and most relevant theme is time
period. If this had taken place today, Lily would not have been an
extraordinary character because interracial relationships are common
today. The author uses the time period to highlight Lilys differences
from societal norms and her rising above racial barriers during a time
when it was uncommon.