I think there are two, polar opposite portrayals of women in The Secret Life of Bees. On one hand, Lily is suppressed by her father and displays the inferiority of women in the twentieth century. The way she is treated and talked down to are not only similiar to the way young girls were treated but also grown women as wives, mothers, workers, etc. On the contrary, the strenght and independence of the black women in the story is completely opposite of black women’s role of the time. In the plot, June, May, Rosaleen, August, and others are completely strong-willed, self-sufficient women who are not suppresed by men and do not rely on them. Serving as role models to Lily, they help her grow and see what a woman’s role can really be.
These two roles show the way women are portrayed in society versus their potential. Society of the twentieth century made women inferior to men and forced them to be silent, subordinate, and obedient. Unfortunately, the strength of women was underestimated and suppressed.
2 responses so far ↓
1
yhssecretlifeofbees
// Apr 9, 2007 at 11:55 am
Emily,
I completely agree with you that the Boatwright sisters and Rosaleen are portrayed as strong-willed and self-sufficient. I disagree that Lily represents the inferiority of women. I think that because in the beginning of the novel Lily is able to rise above T. Ray’s injustices, that this displays women’s poised nature. Women will only be suppressed for so long before they will not stand for injustice. When Lily breaks Rosaleen out of jail/ hospital this part depicts the courage and virtue that women exemplify. T. Ray does nothing to get his maid out of jail. He, being the owner, would probably be able to pull some strings to get Rosaleen out of jail. He could claim that she was crucial to his establishment and claim that he would justly punisher on his own terms. He could have helped Rosaleen but it was Lily who did. Lily took the initiative and she is considerably younger than T. Ray. Lily also shows incredible nerve to try to start a completely new life with the Boatwright sisters. I believe that Lily depicts if anything superiority of women instead of inferiority. She proves to be incredibly intelligent and capable as a beekeeper. (Chelsea M.)
2
yhssecretlifeofbees
// Apr 24, 2007 at 11:55 am
I like how emily pointed out that The Secret Life of Bees portrays the strength of women and in this case the strength of colored women which is an even greater strength because they have two forces against them. During the time period of the book, women in general are considered more of motherly figures and arent encouraged to work outside of the home. August proves that women can have their own business (Black Madonna Honey). She also declares she never wants to marry which was an uncommon quality of women. Besides being considered inferior as a woman, the calander girls are also faced with being african american women. And during the time period of the novel, and especially in the south, african americans weren’t viewed as equals and therefore made it another struggle for the girls to prove to everyone that because they are colored or female doesnt mean they are inferrior or unsucessful.
All of the Calander girls show strenth and independance in the Novel. I love how in literature the truths of female independancy is demonstraited, this way the stereotype of women always being dependant is lessened.
-abby c
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