Theme Of Identity In The Secret Life Of Bees

The search for identity in The Secret Life of Bees Identity is defined as the “condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing” (Dictionary.com). Each person is born with the ability to eventually find their true identity. In a world of societal pressures, this process can be a difficult journey. Through the influence of others and experiences a person’s identity begins to unfold. The identity is a necessary part of the human experience and shapes a person into who they are, leading them to their future. In Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, Lily’s broken identity and haunting memory of her mother pushes her towards Tiburon and the identity altering …show more content…
August is aware that Lily does not allow her to know the whole story behind both Lily and Rosaleen. In order to help her develop her identity she reveals life lessons through beekeeping. “Don’t be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don’t be an idiot;...Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee’s temper. Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t” (Kidd). These lessons in beekeeping are pivotal in Lily’s identity development. By telling Lily to act as if she knows what she is doing even if she does not have a clue is the highlighted parallel in the quote. Lily is a confused, wandering, and broken fourteen year old. She does not know where she belongs or who she is. This quote continues to push Lily to not stop trying to discover who she truly …show more content…
Lily does not have to focus her future on her past but instead she can achieve anything she wants. As Lily and Zach discuss how she believes she has no future at becoming a writer and English teacher, Zach offers her some of his own plans that cause her to question her identity. “‘I wanna be a lawyer’...’I’ve just never heard of a Negro lawyer, that’s all. You’ve got to hear of these things before you can imagine them’ ‘Bullshit. You gotta imagine what’s never been’” (Kidd). This quote allows Lily to understand that her identity is not shaped by what memories haunt her past. Through this she is encouraged to imagine what she thought is not possible, allowing her to realize that the person who she is to become is no longer something that is not possible. After Lily is called an official beekeeper by August, after getting stung by a bee, the influence Zach’s conversation has becomes evident. “A writer, an English teacher, and a beekeeper” (Kidd). Lily displays her changing identity in this quote. She displays that she is adding beekeeper to the list of possible future endeavors instead of believing she will never have a chance. Due to Zach’s influence she discovers that she has the potential to do what she wants to do, and not live in the guilt of the