Monday, April 4, 2011
BLOG - Autumn Housefield
The theme of feminism is evident through the novel's entirety; however, I found it interesting to note the emphasis put on "mothers" in this story. From the first chapter to the last of this novel, Lily's life is influenced by the fact that her mother is out of her life. Lily thinks about the other girls at school who have pretty clothes to wear and have their hair fixed just right--all loving touches of a mother. Rosaleen acts as a "stand in" mother for Lily from the beginning, taking care of her and also taking care of their home. With every breath Lily feels the guilt and shame of accidently killing her mother when she was only four years old; and she carries this burden with her until ultimately finding healing in Tiburen, South Carolina. Later in the story, August Boatwright becomes a mother figure in Lily's life. The black Virgin Mary becomes the "mother" of all of them, as she comes to know the "Daughters of Mary" and the mysterious religion they hold so dear. Lastly, the story revolves around the symbol of "bees" and "beehives." The "queen" of a bee society is better known as the mother of the society. The society ceases to exist when the queen is dead unless she can be replaced. All of these ideas point to the crucial importance of mothers in all humanity.
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I never really looked at the theme of mothers in the story, but you're correct! I thnk even Mary could be the mother for all the African Americans just as she was for Jesus. Just as Lilly had to grow up in an uneasy home, so did the Africans. They were abused and battered and needed someone for comfort. Rosaleen would comfort Lilly and help her through life, just like Mary helped a group of people during a time of suffering. I think that a crucial thing bbeing presented is the need for mothers and that in order to survive one, in a sense, needs a mother to guide them. I talso think thats why the sisters were so "successful" in their lives, especially with the honey business becuase they had August to guide them as well as Mary. Or, in May's case she had the wailing wall. Either way they all had Mary to turn to as the ultamite mother. Even Lilly's mother founf solitude in that idea.
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