The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

By Georgia LaLuzerne, William Griffith, Ella Taggart, Mitch Kern, and Riley Williams The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Bee Epigraphs

• Each chapter begins with an epigraph • Epigraph relates and/or foreshadows to events in the chapter • For example… – Chapter 1: “The queen, for her part, is the unifying force of the community; if she is removed from the hive, the workers very quickly sense her absence. After a few hours, or even less, they show unmistakable signs of queenlessness.” (pg. 1) • Talks about workers missing the queen • Represents Lily missing her mother The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Send Messages

• Guides – Bees in the jar, Lily is trapped – Bees leave the jar, telling Lily to leave – Honey leads her to Boatwright's • Help with decision making process • Clue to mom The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Boatwright Bees

• Bees at the Boatwright's teach life lessons – Life, death, community • Beekeeping teaches Lily responsibility • Boatwright house is like a beehive – All women – Queen bee (August) keeps things in order The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Calendar Sisters/Bees

• August – The Queen Bee – Takes care of her family (the hive) – Oversees honey-making • June – The Mourner Bee – Plays cello for the dead – Everything in life is so serious • May – The Worker Bee – Short life – Weight of the world (the hive) The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Queen Bee

• Various Queen Bees: • Lily’s mother Deborah – Sylvan/Peach farm • August – Tiburon/Boatwright house • Black Mary – Daughters of Mary The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey

Honey

• Life is always sweeter with a little honey… – Honey represents the good things in life • Represents important things in life • Healing • Hope The Secret Life of Bees Symbolism of Bees/Honey