Tuesday, April 12, 2011

BLOG 4

There is a significant amount of symbolism in this novel. For instance, the entire story is centered around bees. Lily is woken up in the night by hearing and seeing bees buzzing around her bedroom; a label of the black virgin Mary from August's beehive is what initially leads Lily and Rosaleen to Tiburon; most of the story takes place in South Carolina, at August's home and beehive. The bees symbolize the strength and value of women in a society. The quotes that begin each chapter usually capitalize on how significant the queen and females of a bee colony are. One such quote from the book, "Bees of the World," says: Males are reared only at the times of the year when their presence is required." Another significant quote that celebrates the females of the colony from "The Queen Must Die: And Other Affairs of Bees and Men," is the following: " Honeybees depend not only on physical contact with the colony, but also require its social companionship and support. Isolate a honeybee from her sisters and she will soon die." August makes continual connections between life and bee keeping. After May dies, August covers the hives, saying: "Putting black cloths on the hives is for us. I do it to remind us that life gives way into death, and then death turns around and gives way to life." Her wise insight is simple, but beautiful.

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