I believe that the way in which women are depicted in The Secret Life of Bees is that women are caretakers. Children and others go to mothers or women friends in search of strength. Women are dependable and nurturing. Because of the death of May “the Daughters of Mary” band together to support June and August in this difficult time. Because of American society people are lead to believe that the stereotype of women as caretakers only has to do with women being portrayed as a maids, cooks, or cleaners. We as a society do not recognize the greater implications that being a caretaker implies. August and June are strong for each other. August works with Lily to get Lily to confess to the reason why she has left home. In truth, no man could completely or fully fulfill the role of a woman or mother. This is clearly evidenced through T. Ray who Lily could never to go for advice. I think that Sue Monk Kidd is trying to remind us as readers that just because a woman works at home she can still be just a strong and supportive as any man. A woman may choose to solely be the caretaker of hope and happiness or her family not their materialistic needs. (Chelsea m)
PS- Mrs. Peaslee, I don’t think that Sue Kidd is representative of all women because no one woman could be. I do, however, believe that she goes against a lot of the stereotypes in society and I appreciate her for showing new insights.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Mrs. P
// Apr 25, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Chelsea,
Your analysis of the roles of caretakers is interesting. Sometimes women see the role of “caretaker” as a negative, stereotpycial role. The analysis you have provided helps to frame that role in a more positive, abstract way. I agree with you; I appreciate the ways in which Kidd subtly critiques contemporary stereotypes.
Mrs. P
2
yhssecretlifeofbees
// Apr 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I agree with Chelsea’s comment here because I too do believe that Woman are depicted as caretakers. A moral person knows that women are not sterotypical weak, nurturers, but that stereotype has been given. In The Secret Life of Bees we see independent woman go through many struggles. Lily starts out the novel, killing her mother and having an abuse dad. Throughout the novel she gains the strentgh to stand up to her father and become less dependent and more independent. Sue Kidd does a good job showing the progression and struggles woman have and had during civil rights.
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