Universals Although the human race has numerous unique cultural opinions, all parents have an ideal role and pressure that their society places on them. For most children, their father is a significant impact on their life and character, and can influence them regardless of whether their relationship is negative, positive, or even neutral. Many people have at least one father figure in their lives who expresses affection and warmth whether it is by handing monetary gifts, upholding strict standards, or sacrificing anything for their young ones. However, some children must take a psychological toll due to an abusive relationship with a guardian, or maybe their guardian is absent. As depicted in The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and
…show more content…
Even to the worst of enemies, compassion and forgiveness is crucial because it often brings peace, positivity, and closure. Holding on to bitterness leaves many struggling even more with a wrecked past. In the end of the novel, The Secret Life of Bees, Lily never truly forgives her father, however, she received the peace through closure and the truth that she longed for as T. Ray answers her final question, “That day my mother died, (you said) when I picked up the gun, it went off… I need to know… Did I do it?” (Kidd, 299). Lastly, the Boatwright sisters, Rosaleen, and The Daughters of Mary finally gave unconditional support and parental love to the teenage girl. As for the poem, forgiveness is left as a rhetorical question. It can certainly take plenty of wisdom, time, and experience to pardon wrongdoings. As noted by the narrator, it may take a whole lifetime to forgive as the voice mentioned, “in our age or in theirs/or in their deaths/saying it to them or not saying it/if we forgive our fathers what is left” (Lourie, 22-24). The narrator even considers never confronting the situation with this line as well. Lily, quite young, is not fully mature yet and she may forgive her father as she grows older. It’s important how people frequently reevaluate their mindsets and alter their opinion or behavior in a lifetime. Whether or not …show more content…
Neither T. Ray nor the parent described in Forgiving Our Fathers could live up to the expected role of a father, leaving their children to struggle coping with a haunted past and feeling doubt about their ability to forgive them. As their children reflect upon despair and desolation, readers connect those works with human nature. Every person copes with situations differently and may retreat to forgiveness. Regardless of what action is taken, both authors, using realistic and melancholy themes, empower readers to reevaluate disaster in their lives to seek love and comfort
Even to the worst of enemies, compassion and forgiveness is crucial because it often brings peace, positivity, and closure. Holding on to bitterness leaves many struggling even more with a wrecked past. In the end of the novel, The Secret Life of Bees, Lily never truly forgives her father, however, she received the peace through closure and the truth that she longed for as T. Ray answers her final question, “That day my mother died, (you said) when I picked up the gun, it went off… I need to know… Did I do it?” (Kidd, 299). Lastly, the Boatwright sisters, Rosaleen, and The Daughters of Mary finally gave unconditional support and parental love to the teenage girl. As for the poem, forgiveness is left as a rhetorical question. It can certainly take plenty of wisdom, time, and experience to pardon wrongdoings. As noted by the narrator, it may take a whole lifetime to forgive as the voice mentioned, “in our age or in theirs/or in their deaths/saying it to them or not saying it/if we forgive our fathers what is left” (Lourie, 22-24). The narrator even considers never confronting the situation with this line as well. Lily, quite young, is not fully mature yet and she may forgive her father as she grows older. It’s important how people frequently reevaluate their mindsets and alter their opinion or behavior in a lifetime. Whether or not …show more content…
Neither T. Ray nor the parent described in Forgiving Our Fathers could live up to the expected role of a father, leaving their children to struggle coping with a haunted past and feeling doubt about their ability to forgive them. As their children reflect upon despair and desolation, readers connect those works with human nature. Every person copes with situations differently and may retreat to forgiveness. Regardless of what action is taken, both authors, using realistic and melancholy themes, empower readers to reevaluate disaster in their lives to seek love and comfort